From Ricardo Carvalho to Paulo Ferreira, from José Boswinga to Raúl Meireles, few Premier League groups can boast of a stronger connection than Chelsea (Wolves apart). The Blues added three Portuguese gamers to their squad this summer time, signing 20-year-old left again Renato Veiga from Basel for €14 million and 24-year-old attacking midfielder João Felix from Atlético Madrid for €52 million, however their most costly signing has been Pedro Neto.

After growing at Braga’s academy, Neto made the transfer to Lazio alongside teammate Bruno Jordão on a two-year mortgage with an obligation to purchase each gamers for a mixed €26 million on August 31, 2017. Neither managed to make the step as much as Serie A, and each gamers would depart two years later for Wolves. Jordão managed only one look for Wolves, bouncing round on mortgage from Famalicão to Grasshopper to Santa Clara earlier than heading to Polish aspect Radomiak Radom on a everlasting deal this summer time.

As for Neto, nevertheless, he has emerged as an attacking presence for Wolves, racking up 14 targets and 24 assists in 135 appearances for the West Midlands aspect and even changing into a Portugal worldwide. While he has struggled with accidents, Neto has proven himself to be some of the harmful wingers within the Premier League when match, and after 5 years, he has departed Molineux and brought his abilities to London.

Photograph: Opta Analyst

Earlier than a nightmare knee damage that saved him out from April 2021 to February 2022, Neto ranked sixth amongst all gamers within the Premier League when it comes to ball carries of at the least 5 meters (503) and excelled at not solely working it ahead however delivering a lethal cross into the field for his striker to transform.

Previous to this 297-day-long absence, Neto ranked first in carrying the ball on the sting of the sphere with a mean distance of (16) meters.

Regardless of lacking 4 months final season with two separate hamstring accidents, Neto managed to complete as Wolves’ prime help supplier within the Premier League with 2 targets and 9 assists in 20 appearances, while he ranked second in pictures per recreation (1.8), pictures heading in the right direction per recreation (0.6) and large probabilities created (7) for Wolves, second for profitable dribbles per recreation (1.9) in addition to first in key passes per recreation (1.9).

Neto made his Chelsea debut of their season opener vs. Manchester Metropolis, changing Christopher Nkunku for the ultimate 37 minutes of their 2-0 defeat. He began the next match on the proper aspect of assault and managed 57 minutes earlier than being changed in a 2-0 win vs. Servette, while his first away match as a Chelsea participant occurred at his former stomping grounds. Neto got here on for Mykhaylo Mudryk and arrange Félix’s objective to place the ending touches on a 6-2 thrashing at Wolverhampton.

He missed out on their journey to Switzerland, with Chelsea shedding 2-1 at Servette and narrowly managing to ebook their ticket to the UEFA Europa Convention League, however he was given the beginning of their following match vs. Crystal Palace. This time, Neto performed on the left aspect of assault alongside Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, however after failing to impose himself at Stamford Bridge, he was hauled off within the 58th minute for Félix instantly after Eberechi Eze’s equalizer.

At 24 years of age, Pedro Neto has made a reputation for himself at Wolves as an enthralling ahead able to placing each fan on the sting of their seat. At present, nevertheless, he finds himself on the point of a brand new journey at Chelsea. Accidents stay a fear for Neto, having already missed 126 matches, but when he can keep match, he might very nicely find yourself being a discount purchase for the Blues.

By: Mahmoud Salem / @masalem6

Featured Picture: Juan Castro / Matthew Ashton – AMA – Getty Photos