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Pedro Neto: What Does He Bring to Chelsea’s Attack?

August 20, 2024
Player Analysis, Transfer Analysis, Premier League Analysis

Pedro Neto has made headlines recently with his transfer to Chelsea for €60 million. Despite his injury history, Chelsea sees Neto as a calculated risk with the potential to become a game-changer on both wings.

Early Life and Career

 

Nationality: Portugal

Position(s): RW, LW, SS

Preferred Foot: Left

Height: 5’8”/172 cm

Age: 23

Pedro Neto hails from a footballing family. His uncle, Sérgio Lomba, was a professional footballer, and his cousin, Martim Neto, currently plays for SL Benfica B. This family background likely played a significant role in sparking his early passion and development in the sport.

 

Neto began his football journey in Portugal, starting with SC Vianense before moving to Perspectiva em Jogo, and later SC Braga, where his talent truly began to flourish. His skills soon caught the attention of SS Lazio, leading to his move to Italy in 2017. Although his time at Lazio was limited in terms of playing opportunities, his potential was evident.

 

 

Rise at Wolves

 

Neto’s career took a significant turn when he joined Wolves in 2019. Under the guidance of coach Nuno Espírito Santo, he quickly became a key player, known for his direct style, pace, and creativity. Over his time at Wolves, he made 111 Premier League appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 20 assists.

 

However, his journey was not without challenges, as recurring hamstring injuries sidelined him for significant periods. Neto made his senior debut for Portugal in November 2020 and has since earned 10 caps, scoring one goal. Though his international career is still in its early stages, he is considered a player with the potential to become a regular for the national team.

 

Playing Style and Strengths

 

Pedro Neto is a relentless winger, known for his dribbling, agility, and creativity. He is a nightmare for full-backs, with his ability to twist and turn at pace, creating separation in a heartbeat. Neto is particularly dangerous in tight spaces, making him a valuable creative force in central areas when linking up with technical players.

 

When attacking, Neto stays wide, waiting to receive the ball on his inside (10.23 progressive passes received per 90). Despite being left-footed, he can go either way when dribbling, making him deadly in 1v1 situations.

 

Photo: @FTBLNL

 

Although his take-on numbers aren’t the highest (4.51 attempted, 1.66 successful), these stats are more impressive considering Wolves’ defensive style of play. On the right wing, Neto is comfortable using his right foot to power towards the byline and deliver cutbacks into the box. However, he is even more dangerous when cutting in onto his left, where he can either cross with precision or shoot at goal.

 

Photo: @FTBLNL

 

Neto excels in transitional play, thanks to his short stride, which allows him to quickly turn past his marker and create space to burst forward. His finishing ability, particularly on his left foot, is impressive, and he has the potential to score stunning goals if given more opportunities to cut inside.

 

Despite playing in a defensive system at Wolves, Neto has shown creativity, with stats such as 2.21 key passes per 90 (81st percentile), 0.46 crosses into the penalty area (80th percentile), and 6.26 crosses per 90 (92nd percentile). His output could increase significantly in a more attacking team.

 

Concerns about Neto losing his pace and agility are largely unfounded. In a match against Manchester United last season, Neto recorded the third-fastest speed in the first week of the Premier League 2023/24 season. Neto’s aggression is another key part of his game, whether pressing, dribbling, dueling, or tracking back. This intensity puts constant pressure on defenders and makes him a significant defensive contributor as well.

 

Areas for Development

 

Despite his strengths, Neto has areas for improvement. His injury history, particularly his recurring hamstring issues, is a concern. Additionally, while his shot volume is low (1.75 shots per 90 minutes), this may be due to his role in a weaker Wolves team, where he was often tasked with carrying the ball up the pitch rather than receiving it in positions to shoot.

 

 

His decision-making could be better at times. He occasionally dribbles for too long, which could be due to a lack of nearby passing options. In some cases, it would be better to hold the ball to allow teammates to join the attack. However, this may be more of a criticism of his teammates’ lack of support than Neto’s own decision-making.

 

Pedro Neto is also a versatile attacker who can play on both wings, as a second striker, and even as a central striker or attacking midfielder. However, he is most dangerous in wide areas, where he can run directly to the byline and either cut the ball back or shoot across goal.

 

Move to Chelsea

 

In the summer of 2024, Neto made a surprising move to Chelsea. He expressed his excitement about the new challenge and is seen as a player who could thrive under the right conditions. Pedro Neto is considered one of Portugal’s brightest talents, with his speed, creativity, and technical ability making him a standout player. His move to Chelsea marks the next chapter in a promising but challenging career, where he has the potential to reach new heights.

 

By: @Kadmiel_0

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Jack Thomas – WWFC / Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

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