Why Chelsea have signed Neto

Adrian Clarke analyses the important thing summer season signings and the affect they might make at their new golf equipment within the Premier League this season.

Participant evaluation – Pedro Neto (Chelsea)

A totally match, in-form Neto improves Chelsea’s beginning XI, so it’s straightforward to see why they’ve signed the Portuguese winger from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 24-year-old’s damage document throughout the previous three seasons will likely be a reputable concern for some, and plenty of can even argue that focusing on a striker ought to have been Enzo Maresca’s precedence.

Each are legitimate factors, however the Italian does place a heavy tactical emphasis on width, taking part in a model of soccer designed to assist isolate his wingers in 1v1 conditions.

In these conditions, Neto is usually a nightmare to comprise.

Not solely was he the fourth-fastest participant in final season’s Premier League marketing campaign, however Kevin De Bruyne was additionally the one top-flight participant to supply extra assists per 90 minutes than Neto.

Assists per 90, 2023/24

What is going to Neto add to Chelsea?

Neto’s 9 assists from 20 appearances final season could have been an enormous consider Chelsea’s determination to pursue him this summer season.

As a collective, Raheem Sterling (4), Noni Madueke (two) and Mykhailo Mudryk (two) didn’t ship as many assists as their new team-mate in 2023/24, regardless of being on the pitch for an extra 3,096 mixed minutes.

Whether or not he performs on the best or left flank, Neto’s forte is to blow up previous defenders on the skin, driving in direction of the opposition objective.

And as you possibly can see from his help map, Neto’s velocity and directness will get him into superior areas the place he likes to chop the ball again or sq. it throughout the face of objective.

He’s additionally extra keen to place the ball into the realm than Chelsea’s wingers had been underneath Mauricio Pochettino.

The consistency of Neto’s provide line ought to in idea assist Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku and onrushing midfielders corresponding to Cole Palmer to obtain higher high quality possibilities.

How Neto compares to Chelsea wingers

Velocity machine

Ukrainian winger Mudryk catches the attention along with his large acceleration, however final season he was solely ranked thirty second within the division, with a high velocity of 35.73km/h.

Sterling (thirty sixth) and Madueke (97th) are additionally fast, however not one of the Chelsea wingers can reside with Neto’s electrical tempo.

Leaving a path of defenders in his wake, Neto’s 36.86km/h high velocity put him contained in the Premier League’s high 5.

Quickest PL gamers 23/24

The place can Neto enhance?

At his greatest, Neto is sort of unstoppable when operating with the ball.

He carries it 14.53 metres on common, a determine solely Luton City’s Chiedozie Ogbene and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga eclipsed in 2023/24.

Not each dribble will come off, however he always asks questions of his markers.

To enhance, Neto should be taught to make higher selections on the finish of these runs.

His shot conversion fee (together with blocks) of 5.56 per cent final season was poor, and method behind Sterling, Mudryk and Madueke, who had been all above 14 per cent.

Contemplating what number of progressive ball carries he made, Neto didn’t create anyplace close to sufficient possibilities from these conditions both.

Falling in need of the productiveness provided by the Blues’ wingers from ball carries, he had a shot or made a key go simply as soon as each 60 minutes from these kind of runs.

Minutes per chance-ending ball carry 23/24

The place will Neto play?

Maresca will possible go together with a a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, and whereas Neto is an possibility to make use of in central areas, he’s extra more likely to be a first-choice vast participant.

At Leicester Metropolis, the Italian head coach performed wingers on the other facet to their stronger foot, which suggests Neto is more likely to characteristic on the best.

That’s the place Gary O’Neil used him most, however Neto is equally assured beginning on the opposite facet.

If Mudryk and Sterling don’t hit the bottom operating on the left, Neto might simply be switched to that facet of the pitch.

Apart from objectives and photographs, Neto outshone them each in the course of the earlier marketing campaign.

Harm issues

This acquisition is thrilling however has been taken with a component of danger in thoughts.

Since struggling a fractured kneecap in April 2021, Neto has been stricken by damage issues.

In 2022/23, a critical ankle damage saved him out for a prolonged spell, and final season hamstring points restricted him to simply 18 begins.

Neto apps/minutes final 4 seasons

Maresca’s need to get the ball vast as a matter in fact will definitely go well with Neto, who ought to add a layer of additional penetration to their assault.

Taking part in in a possession-heavy facet in opposition to decrease blocks is one thing new for him to get used to, however his tempo will likely be an asset in these contests.

On the face of it he is a superb signing, however there isn’t a doubt that Chelsea are additionally playing on Neto having higher luck with accidents.

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