Chelsea’s decision to keep hold of Pedro Neto in the summer looks like the shrewdest move the club have made in this transfer window after his match-winning double at Everton on Saturday. His performance was a brilliant return on their stance that many thought was foolish.
You have to remember how close the Portuguese winger came to leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer. Reports in early August revealed that Manchester City had opened up direct talks with Neto’s representatives, with Al-Hilal also having made a strong approach. Tottenham had enquired about the player, and Liverpool’s interest was confirmed by contacting his agent prior to deadline day.
Reports at the time suggested that those around Neto would consider a move if the right offer came along. However, Chelsea responded by putting a valuation of close to £100 million on the winger, up from around £70million. It was a statement that he still had a key role to play in Xabi Alonso’s vision, as they effectively pushed away all his suitors.
The Blues got their point across, as Manchester City pulled out. The deadline passed, and Neto signed a new contract in September that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2032. The player who could have easily spent this autumn sulking on the bench has instead become one of their most influential performers.
On Saturday, Neto hit all three of his shots on target at Hill Dickinson Stadium, created five chances, and completed 27 of his 32 passes. He also made 16 sprints, two tackles and five recoveries before finishing as the man of the match. While Chelsea’s xG of 1.54 compared to Everton’s 0.45 suggests they were in control, it is Neto who gets the credit for their 2-0 victory.
His overall output this season has also backed up his quality. Neto has scored three goals and registered an assist in his seven Premier League games this term. He also got on the scoresheet in their Carabao Cup comeback against Leeds. The winger has often started at right wing-back, with Xabi Alonso recognising his versatility.
The obvious argument for those who think Chelsea made a mistake is that the club took a gamble with a huge profit on offer. They spent around £54 million on getting him from Wolves in 2024, and selling him would have fitted in with a summer where they reportedly made over £500 million from departures. Alonso himself has admitted he could not promise Neto would stay, making it seem almost certain that the Portuguese winger would ply his trade elsewhere.
Keeping Pedro Neto Gives Alonso a Weapon Chelsea’s Rivals Wanted
The fixtures Chelsea have in the next few months include clubs that enquired about the winger. Tottenham visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday, followed by Manchester United on 31 October. A match against Liverpool is also on the horizon, while the Blues will face their former head coach Enzo Maresca in December.
Neto will not always perform as he did on Saturday, and nobody should expect him to. But it matters that he is playing for a club where his best form can give Chelsea fans a reason to chant “Sing When You’re Winning” this season. Had Manchester City or Liverpool got their man, those two goals against Everton would have been far less likely to have gone in.
Whether he can maintain this standard over the winter months will be the true test, as fatigue and injury take their toll. If he can, the decision to keep him would look even better than it does now. So far, what Chelsea have done with the winger we all thought was destined to leave has been perfectly justified.