It seems increasingly unlikely that Pedro Neto will retain his position on Chelsea’s right wing for their upcoming match. In fact, even his role on the left side appears to be in jeopardy.
This is largely due to Jadon Sancho’s impressive debut performance for Chelsea, following his arrival during the international break.
Sancho’s performance was nothing short of brilliant, earning him the “man of the match” title.
His standout display has quickly made him a strong contender for a starting spot in Chelsea’s next game at Stamford Bridge, which may leave Neto on the bench.
Chelsea, under new head coach Enzo Maresca, has been gradually finding its form.
Although they began the season with an expected defeat against Premier League champions Manchester City, the team rebounded strongly in their following match.
Chelsea secured a commanding 6-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, showcasing their developing attacking prowess.
Players like Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer were central to that victory, offering fans the kind of exciting, fluid football they had been hoping for under Maresca’s guidance.
However, just as Chelsea seemed to be gaining momentum, their progress hit a roadblock.
In their next fixture, Chelsea was held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, a team that has struggled this season.
Despite the dominating win over Wolves, Chelsea failed to carry that energy into the Palace match, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether their prior success was sustainable or simply a fleeting moment of brilliance.
The draw interrupted the positive trajectory Chelsea had been building under Maresca, raising concerns about the team’s consistency.
Chelsea did manage to get back on track, though, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in their next outing.
The match wasn’t an easy one for Chelsea, as they struggled to break down Bournemouth’s defense for most of the game.
However, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez became the hero of the night, with a crucial penalty save that kept Chelsea in the game.
His efforts paved the way for a late winner from Christopher Nkunku, securing all three points for Chelsea.
Nkunku’s match-winning contribution was particularly surprising, given that he hadn’t started in recent league games.
Although he featured in Chelsea’s opening fixture against Manchester City, fierce competition for attacking roles under Maresca saw Nkunku relegated to the bench in subsequent matches.
His decisive impact against Bournemouth could see him regain a spot in the starting lineup, especially as some of his attacking teammates, including Neto, failed to make an impression.
Like Neto, French defender Axel Disasi also struggled in the Bournemouth match.
Disasi had one of his worst performances of the season, largely due to being played out of position as a right-back, filling in for the injured Reece James.
This tactical shift by Maresca didn’t work out, as Disasi looked uncomfortable throughout the match, lost possession frequently, and failed to win any of his individual duels.
He was eventually substituted after just 61 minutes.
Pedro Neto, who was similarly underwhelming, is facing increasing scrutiny for his performances.
Since joining Chelsea, Neto has struggled to find his form, and his performance against Bournemouth did little to help his case.
With a pass completion rate of just 67%, no completed dribbles, and minimal involvement in Chelsea’s attacking play, Neto was substituted at halftime.
In his place came Jadon Sancho, who immediately brought energy and creativity to the team, providing the assist for Nkunku’s winning goal and further solidifying his claim to a starting spot.
Neto’s struggles may be partly due to playing out of position.
Naturally a right winger, he has been forced to play on the left due to the excellent form of Madueke and Palmer on the right.
This role doesn’t fully suit Neto’s strengths, which could explain his inconsistent performances.
As Chelsea prepares for their next match, Neto’s place in the starting lineup appears increasingly insecure.
With Sancho’s stellar debut and the fierce competition for attacking positions, Neto faces a difficult task in reclaiming his spot.
Unless he can significantly improve, it seems likely that Sancho will continue to push him out of the first eleven.
Chelsea’s season remains full of potential, but Maresca still faces the challenge of finding the right balance in his squad.
With new signings and increasing competition for starting positions, players like Neto will need to prove their value if they want to stay key figures in the team.
At present, Sancho’s arrival has added a fresh dynamic to Chelsea’s attack, and Neto may be the one to make way as Maresca continues to refine his lineup.
