It appears increasingly unlikely that Pedro Neto will retain his spot on the right flank in Chelsea’s lineup for the upcoming game. In fact, even his position on the left wing seems to be under serious threat. This is largely due to the remarkable debut performance from Jadon Sancho, who joined the Blues during the international break and immediately made a strong impression. Sancho’s debut was nothing short of spectacular, earning him the “man of the match” award, and his dazzling display has quickly positioned him as a potential starter when Chelsea takes on their next challenge at Stamford Bridge. As a result, Neto may find himself relegated to the bench, with Sancho stepping into the starting lineup in his place.
Chelsea, under the new management of Enzo Maresca, has been gradually finding its rhythm. Though the season began with an expected defeat at the hands of reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, Chelsea quickly bounced back in emphatic fashion. Their next match saw them dominate Wolverhampton Wanderers with a commanding 6-2 victory, a game that showcased Chelsea’s growing attacking prowess. Key players like Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer led the charge in that match, providing the kind of exciting, fluid football that fans had been eager to witness under Maresca’s leadership.
However, just as the team seemed to be hitting their stride, Chelsea’s momentum was abruptly halted. Their following fixture, a 1-1 draw against a struggling Crystal Palace side, was a bitter disappointment. Despite their prior success against Wolves, the team failed to carry that energy forward, resulting in a frustrating stalemate that left supporters and analysts questioning whether Chelsea’s earlier performance was a sign of things to come or just a fleeting moment of brilliance. The draw interrupted the promising upward trend that had begun under Maresca’s reign, raising concerns about the team’s consistency.
Despite this setback, Chelsea managed to get back on track with a gritty 1-0 victory over Bournemouth in a hard-fought contest on a Saturday evening. The game was far from smooth sailing, with Chelsea struggling to break down Bournemouth’s defense for most of the match. However, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez proved to be the hero of the night, delivering a standout performance that included a crucial penalty save. Sanchez’s heroics kept Chelsea in the game, and his effort set the stage for a dramatic late winner from Christopher Nkunku, sealing all three points for the Blues.
Nkunku’s late-game heroics came as a surprise, given that he had been left out of the starting lineup in recent league matches. Despite starting in Chelsea’s opening fixture against Manchester City, Nkunku found himself on the bench in subsequent games, likely due to the fierce competition for attacking positions under Maresca. However, his decisive contribution as a substitute against Bournemouth could see him reinstated to the starting XI, especially as some of his attacking teammates, like Neto, struggled to make an impact during the match.
Axel Disasi, too, found himself in a difficult position. The French defender had one of his poorest performances of the season against Bournemouth, struggling to adapt to the tactical adjustments made by Maresca. With club captain Reece James sidelined by injury, Maresca was forced to make defensive changes, which included playing Disasi out of his natural central position and shifting him to right-back. Unfortunately, this decision did not pay off. Disasi looked uncomfortable throughout the match, failing to win any of his individual duels and frequently losing possession. He was eventually substituted after just 61 minutes, a clear indication that the experiment had not worked.
Like Disasi, Pedro Neto’s performance was underwhelming, further jeopardizing his place in the squad. Neto has struggled to find his form since his summer move to Chelsea, and his performance against Bournemouth was another example of his difficulties. Neto’s contributions were minimal, with a pass completion rate of just 67%, no completed dribbles, and a noticeable lack of involvement in Chelsea’s attacking play. His underwhelming showing saw him substituted at halftime, with Jadon Sancho taking his place. In stark contrast to Neto’s struggles, Sancho immediately injected energy and creativity into Chelsea’s attack, providing the assist for Nkunku’s winning goal and showing why he could soon become a regular starter under Maresca.
Neto’s struggles since joining Chelsea have been a growing concern. While he showed flashes of his potential in the dominant win over Wolves, he has failed to cement his place in Maresca’s system. One of the major challenges for Neto has been his positioning. Although he is naturally a right-sided winger, he has been played out of position on the left due to the impressive form of players like Madueke and Palmer on the right flank. As a result, Neto has had to adapt to a role that doesn’t fully suit his strengths, and this has likely contributed to his inconsistent performances.
As Chelsea prepares for their next match, Neto’s place in the starting lineup looks increasingly precarious. With Sancho’s impressive debut and the wealth of attacking options available to Maresca, Neto faces a significant challenge in regaining his spot. The competition for places in Chelsea’s attack is fierce, and underperforming players are quickly at risk of being replaced. Unless Neto can drastically improve his performances, it seems likely that Sancho will continue to push him out of the starting eleven.
For Chelsea, the season ahead is filled with potential, but it also presents many challenges as Maresca looks to find the right balance in his squad. With the arrival of new signings and the competition for starting spots intensifying, players like Neto will need to prove their worth if they hope to remain key figures in the team. As things stand, Jadon Sancho’s arrival has added a new dimension to Chelsea’s attack, and it seems that Neto may be the one to make way as Maresca continues to refine his squad.