Enzo Maresca’s comments on Pedro Neto show £30m player could still have a future at Chelsea

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You could forgive the likes of Noni Madueke and Raheem Sterling for being worried about their futures at Chelsea following the arrival of Pedro Neto.

Chelsea‘s squad has got even bigger after the club decided to bring in Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It could mean less game time for Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling and Mykhailo Mudryk this season. Or even worse, his arrival could see one of them have to depart.

At the same time, though, Enzo Maresca‘s comments on Neto suggest that there could still be opportunities at Stamford Bridge for someone like Madueke.

• READ MORE: Pedro Neto shares what he noticed about Chelsea after playing against them last season

What has Enzo Maresca said about Pedro Neto?

Neto is Chelsea’s new £50m signing. He will be expected to start more often than not.

However, with Chelsea set to play a lot of games this season after making a return to Europe, Maresca has made it clear he needs a big squad.

Speaking to Chelsea’s official website upon Neto’s arrival at the club, the Italian said: “I’m very excited, he can offer many things. He can play on the right side, he can play on the left side, he’s very good one-on-one.

“It is one more option we have because there will be many, many games in the season, so we need a big squad.”

Neto is happy to play anywhere in attack, so there is no reason why the 24-year-old and Madueke cannot be on the pitch at the same time.

Noni Madueke’s Chelsea career may not be over

Given Maresca’s words, then, there is every chance that Chelsea keep hold of Madueke and the 22-year-old provides cover for the likes of Neto and Cole Palmer.

Neto has had a lot of injury problems, so there certainly could be opportunities for Madueke this season.

Things get a little bit more complicated if Chelsea go on to sign Joao Felix, though. Felix has become a target for Chelsea, and his potential arrival could result in the club having to get rid of one of their current attackers.

However, it does not have to be Chelsea’s £30m England U21 international who is sacrificed. With Sterling attracting interest from Juventus, there is always a possibility of him going. Of course, the Blues still need to get Felix through the door, which is not a guarantee.