Chelsea faced their second major test of the season and came up short, falling 2-1 to league leaders Liverpool at Anfield. Despite Nicolas Jackson scoring his first goal against Liverpool to bring Chelsea level at 1-1, the Blues were unable to sustain the momentum and conceded again, leading to their second defeat of the campaign.
Head coach Enzo Maresca, however, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s overall performance. Chelsea entered the match missing several key players, which added to the challenge. Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella were unavailable due to suspensions, while Reece James and Romeo Lavia made their return from long-term injuries, albeit with limited game time.
Maresca made some bold tactical decisions during the game, including introducing three substitutes early in the second half. Pedro Neto was brought on at halftime to replace Jadon Sancho, in a move that sparked discussions about Chelsea’s attacking strategy.
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has since voiced his support for Neto’s inclusion in the starting lineup for the next match. Neto, who joined Chelsea on loan from Manchester United, might have felt aggrieved not to win a penalty in the first half, but his performance in that period did not match the high standards he set earlier in his Chelsea tenure. However, in the second half, Neto made a significant impact with his direct and energetic style, operating effectively on both wings.
Lampard, speaking to the Premier League’s official platform, emphasized Neto’s influence after coming on, stating, “Pedro Neto came on and made a significant impact. He’s likely earned himself a strong chance of starting the next game. I believe he should.”
The Portuguese international, who made a big-money move in the summer, is expected to start Chelsea’s upcoming UEFA Conference League fixture on Thursday. His versatility and attacking prowess have raised expectations, with former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino describing him as “fabulous.” Lampard, among others, believes Neto is key to Chelsea’s future performances if he can stay fit.
While the European fixture provides Neto with a platform to showcase his abilities, his ultimate aim remains securing a consistent starting role in the Premier League. With Chelsea set to host Newcastle on Sunday, Neto is very much in contention to feature prominently in the lineup.
The team’s recent setbacks in key fixtures highlight the need for players like Neto to step up, and his performance on Thursday could be pivotal in cementing his place in Maresca’s plans for the domestic campaign.