Chelsea supporters rarely hold back when discussing the players in the club’s squad.
When Chelsea fans do not feel that someone is good enough, they make that abundantly clear, often on social media.
In the past, the likes of Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz have proven to be highly controversial figures among the fan base. Yet despite many not rating the duo, Arsenal went on to sign both players and win the Premier League title.
Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke and now Pedro Neto! Why do our Premier League rivals always want to sign players not rated by the fan base? What aren’t we seeing? 😵💫
Enzo Maresca is reportedly eyeing a reunion with Neto at Man City
Manchester City are now said to be interested in signing Pedro Neto, another Chelsea player who often comes in for a lot of criticism.
It begs the question, why are Europe’s top clubs always interested in Chelsea players who are not rated by supporters and even the club in some cases? In Neto’s case, there is obviously the Enzo Maresca link, but it goes beyond that.
The answer to the above question is probably adaptability. The top Premier League sides like Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United all play a similar way and face the same set-up every week.
For example, these are teams who like a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape, press high and have to encounter low blocks in virtually every game.
If Neto is used to these things at Chelsea, it should not take long for him to adjust at a City or an Arsenal. Ultimately, Chelsea’s players are tried and tested, usually at the very elite level, and are often at an age where there is still time to grow and improve.
For Maresca, it is probably safer to sign someone like Neto who is familiar with playing in the Premier League and against low blocks than another winger in his early 20s playing against mid-blocks in a different European league.
It has been reported that Neto has also been offered to Al-Hilal, but it feels too early for the Portuguese to move to Saudi Arabia.
Even if some Chelsea fans do not rate Neto, he is still a Premier League-level winger. The 26-year-old would get into a lot of teams in the English top flight and should have options there if he does decide to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
