Chelsea v Port Vale, FA Cup A general view inside of the Stamford Bridge ground with club crest on corner flag during the FA Cup match between Chelsea and Port Vale at Stamford Bridge, London, UK on 4 April 2026. London Stamford Bridge Greater London UK Editorial use only , Copyright: xAlunxRobertsx PSI-24006-0071
Chelsea v Port Vale, FA Cup A general view inside of the Stamford Bridge ground with club crest on corner flag during the FA Cup match between Chelsea and Port Vale at Stamford Bridge, London, UK on 4 April 2026. London Stamford Bridge Greater London UK Editorial use only , Copyright: xAlunxRobertsx PSI-24006-0071
Liverpool’s summer pursuit of a new wide forward ended with Bradley Barcola arriving from Paris Saint Germain, but there was a point when the Reds were reportedly watching another option closely.
That player, a Chelsea winger whose situation Liverpool were reportedly among several clubs monitoring during the window, has now explained why he decided to stay put, just days before he is expected to return to Anfield for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie.
They ultimately chose not to make an approach once the Barcola deal, worth around €145 million including variables, came together, while Manchester City and Al Hilal also showed interest and Tottenham were linked too, with reports that Chelsea’s valuation of around £100 million discouraged most suitors long before deadline day.
Portuguese winger Pedro Neto has been unusually open about how unsettling that summer was, telling The Times, “Maybe in the transfer window I was a little bit crazy, because I wanted to solve things here,” and crediting his fiancée Carolina as “the base of emotional control” who “helped me a lot.”
He was just as clear that new manager Xabi Alonso made the difference, explaining, “I think the biggest point was the manager.”
“He talked to me and explained what he wanted.”
“He made sure that I felt like I was wanted by him.”
“Then the owner, as well, made sure that I was happy here.”
Chelsea backed that reassurance with a new six-year contract in mid-September that ties Neto to Stamford Bridge until 2032, and his form since suggests the decision has suited him, with Alonso reinventing the 26-year-old as a right wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 system that has seen him start six of Chelsea’s seven Premier League matches and score both goals in last weekend’s 2–0 win at Everton.
In total, he has 23 goals and 20 assists in 112 appearances for the club and is valued at around €60.6 million, which makes Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie at Anfield particularly interesting as Chelsea arrive after a frustrating derby defeat to Tottenham and with Joao Pedro’s fitness in doubt.
That puts more pressure on Neto to provide the energy and directness Alonso’s system depends on, and as a right wing back who spends as much time attacking as defending, his battle with Liverpool’s left flank could prove to be one of the key matchups of the night.
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