Pedro Neto, Chelsea’s newest attacking addition, is widely recognized in the Premier League. He is known for his exceptional dribbling ability, creative techniques, and phenomenal pace, making him one of the most exciting wingers in the league.
@HH_comps pic.twitter.com/CnSx6sfA0r
— B1 (@B1_official24) August 9, 2024
The former Wolves talisman is a wonderful player to build your squad around—takes things into his own hands and delivers in the toughest of situations with his individual brilliance. Neto’s dynamic profile helps him be deployed at RW, while also being comfortable at LW.
Pedro Neto – Player Profile
Age: 24.
Club: Chelsea.
Position: RW/LW/ST.
Foot: Left/Right.
Nationality: Portuguese.
Value: €53M
Height: 5’8
Avg SofaScore rating: 7.08
Strengths: Dribbling, Creativity, Speed, Agility, Balance.
Weaknesses: Availability, Decision Making.
The Influence of Roller Hockey on Neto
Quite astonishingly, Neto was an ex-National Roller Hockey player. Might’ve not continued the sport but the learnings still reflect on his game. The crouched position helps him take the desired touches and also have a subtle edge in gaining an advantage while taking on players.
Neto’s hunched body type helps him maintain the low centre of gravity and make sharp turns without losing the balance. When under pressure, he likes to shield the ball with his strong hunched back and make quick half turns and then maximises the situation using his pace.
Role at Chelsea/Portugal
A nemesis player who is effective on both flanks, using both his feet to their perfect capabilities and constantly creating for his side. Stretches the pitch wide with his positioning, which helps him take on players on either wing and deliver tasty crosses.
Neto’s role at Chelsea will likely focus on his ability to stretch defenses and create chances from wide areas, much as he did at Wolverhampton Wanderers. His adaptability on both wings makes him a valuable asset in Chelsea’s attacking setup.
Strengths – In Possession
As an archetype dribbler, Pedro Neto is quite tricky to defend against. You cannot back away from giving him the space but you play tight to him, he’ll use his small frame to his benefit and get past the players or draw fouls.
A skillful player of all sorts that causes chaos with his mobile presence – uses deception techniques to send players the wrong way and capitalise on the space by kicking the ball in open channels and creating an attack through it.
Direct with his actions in the attacking phase – biggest threat of direct output being his individual creations in beating his man and creating chances himself. Optimises his small space efficiency in all carrying and crossing with certain stop/start movements.
On repeat until Sunday pic.twitter.com/7EfE3Bji3V
— Wolves (@Wolves) February 19, 2024
Ball-carrying and double-footed prowess is a coach’s dream – Neto brings both of that to the table. Deploy him on either wing and he’ll find an answer to creating a chance from there. Makes the most of his rapid pace + clever movements in deceiving opponents through wider zones.
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Unbelievable, @pedrolneto7 pic.twitter.com/MkAn0vRtNT
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 30, 2023
Pedro Neto has some outrageous ball striking to his game, generates an ample amount of power in his shots. His double-footed prowess in terms of dribbling on the inside/outside helps him get into favourable angles in order to finish.
Strengths – Out of Possession
Pedro Neto’s low centre of gravity reaps rewards when it comes to getting through tight spaces and 1v1 situations – a real master as work. His ‘small’ body type aids him in covering ground + physically impose himself to win the ball back.
Neto’s role in a mid or low block at Wolves was primarily to defend deep and be the focal point of counterattacks. Given his attacking prowess, his defensive contributions weren’t the best, but he was an archetype transitional player. At Chelsea, he’ll need to adjust to a more possession-oriented style, requiring more defensive discipline and composure in build-up play.
That being said, his aggressive pressing ability helps win the ball back from the opponent’s build up. The hunger and desire to win the ball back has benefitted him in his contributions in the final third.
Does the routine job of maintaining the defensive shape in order to track back and help the fullbacks close – can man mark and also create pressure in defensive situations.
Areas to improve on
His defensive limitations are quite vividly displayed but it’s also got to do with the role that he plays for his side – decent enough OOP and can be tasked to improve in the above mentioned areas.
Picking up persistent injuries is Neto’s unfortunate trademark – some being lengthy periods of absence that has led to him hardly finishing the season staying fit. Lesser workload could help him get back to his fittest form.
Player Comparison
Pedro Neto’s explosiveness in terms of pace + dribbling can compare himself to Nico Williams who also has the double-footed prowess and ability to play on both wings. In terms of technique, he’s quite similar to Martinelli but replicates everything with his left foot.
Compared to the Wingers Chelsea have
Pedro Neto is a specialist profile that can do multitudes of differences to Chelsea’s wide attacking options – may it be from LW/RW. Chelsea lack a natural width holding creator and Neto would bring exactly that – crosses being played into box for the #9 to aerially head instead of always cutting inside and focusing on central progression
Mykhailo Mudryk is a direct pacey winger that has the same explosiveness like Neto to burst out with pace. A large space eater that likes to accelerate and cut from the left to right. Consistency and decision making in the final third could boost his performances
Noni Madueke is a much more technical profile than Mudryk and is a very good dribbler in tight spaces. Has the agility and balance to change directions quickly which benefit him to create actions from not-so favourable angles at all instances. Again, decisiveness in possession and ability to influence the passage of play needs refinement
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Raheem Sterling is the more well-rounded and experienced winger amongst the two who has the ability to step up in big moments. Exploiting spaces, showcasing his ball manipulation and his ability to position himself makes him a unique figure in Chelsea’s dynamics. Inconsistency in performances lets him down majorly.
Pedro Neto is a superior talent to those at the club, and can be particularly useful to cause chaos on the wings. The versatility he brings to the side can be valued in creating chances for the club whilst also creating moments of magic in order to step up for his side.
The biggest question of Neto joining this Chelsea side would be to how he would accommodate and transition himself from Wolves counter-oriented style to Chelsea’s possession oriented football. Would he have the composure to play passes and rotate possession at all times?
Conclusion
A motive-oriented player that is waiting to burst through the ranks of a better club that can give him the opportunity to showcase and maximise his output to the fullest. Certain qualities in the offensive aspects make him a very unique profile to hold in the footballing sphere.