BBC pundit claims £54m Chelsea player was so much better than teammate against Liverpool

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A couple of Chelsea’s top performers this season did not play too well against Liverpool on Sunday.

For example, Cole Palmer struggled in Chelsea‘s 2-1 defeat at Anfield, something that does not happen too often.

The attacking midfielder has been the Blues’ best player this season, coming up with 11 goal contributions in eight league appearances, but could not make much of an impact against Liverpool.

Jadon Sancho also had a game to forget and was taken off at half-time. Enzo Maresca has been pleased with Sancho overall, though, praising the winger before the match.

• READ MORE: What Chelsea fans were saying about Pedro Neto after his performance in Portugal’s 3-1 win against Poland

Leon Osman on Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho

It was Pedro Neto who came on for Sancho, and former Everton midfielder Leon Osman felt that the Portuguese was way more impactful than his teammate.

Commentating on Chelsea’s loss to Liverpool for the BBC, Osman said: “Neto has had a much bigger influence down the left-hand side against [Trent] Alexander-Arnold than Sancho did.”

Neto has made just two starts in the Premier League for Chelsea so far this season. But after his display at Anfield, he will be hoping to make his third against Newcastle United this weekend.

Reece James managed to make his first start of the campaign on Sunday, and Neto is delighted to see James fit again.

Should Pedro Neto start against Newcastle?

Neto could not help Chelsea to earn a point in the end, but he was still very bright against Liverpool.

According to Sofascore, Neto made three key passes at Anfield, more than any other player on the pitch despite the £54m winger only playing 45 minutes of the match.

Ultimately, Neto has probably earned a start for the Newcastle game. It may seem a bit harsh on Sancho, who has been excellent for Chelsea since his arrival from Manchester United on deadline day.

In his first three appearances for the club, he managed to register three assists. However, there is so much competition at Chelsea that one poor game means you could find yourself out of Maresca‘s team the next match.