Chelsea confirmed the signing of Pedro Neto after their return from preseason in the United States in a £54million deal from Wolves. He was presented as a new Chelsea player on Saturday, during their final preseason game with Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto’s transfer to Chelsea may not surprise him because he has been linked to big-money moves for the past two seasons. The Portuguese international scored 14 goals and 24 assists in 135 appearances during his time at Wolves, which may reflect something other than his true performance. His Wolves career was marred by several injuries, including missing 18 games last season and a knee injury.
Jamie Carragher, who is not impressed with Chelsea’s transfer business, has tipped Pedro Neto as one of the season’s signings following his debut against Manchester City and claimed he would have loved to see him sign for Liverpool.
What did Jamie Carragher say about Chelsea signing Pedro Neto?
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football, he said: “But for injuries, I think this is a player that could play for the best teams in the world, I really do believe that.
“He’s a player I’ve watched for Wolves in the last three or four years who I’ve always thought I’d love Liverpool to sign him. I just look at him, the pace of him, the quality on the ball, he scores goals, and I just hope he stays fit.
“My only worry – again it goes back to Chelsea – is he’s best on the right cutting in on that left foot, probably where Cole Palmer likes to play as well.
“But I think if Chelsea could keep him fit, I think he’s a special talent him. He’s a player I love to watch, and I actually get down a little bit when I hear he’s injured again, even though Wolves are not my team.
“I’d love to see him stay fit because I think he’s one of the top players in the Premier League when he’s fit.”
Chelsea now has several forward options following the signing of Joao Felix. Enzo Fernandez’s attacking options include Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, and Marc Guiu. However, some are expected to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.
On possible Chelsea attacking lineup this season, Gary Neville added: “Felix, whether you think he’s a center-forward or not, will play in that false nine positions with two sorts of higher wide players. He needs the two quicker ones, Neto and Nkunku.
“I do think that’s the way in which he’ll look to play him. I don’t think he’ll play him wide. I don’t think he’ll play him as a No.10 that often, I think Cole Palmer’s got to play there.
“I think he plays Joao Felix there and I think he plays Palmer sort of in behind the two central midfield players which means one of the three – [Moises] Caicedo, Fernandez or [Romeo] Lavia – have to be left out.”
Everyone will be watching how Chelsea will line up against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
