Pedro Neto was one of the casualties from Robert Sanchez’s red card in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
Sanchez was sent off in just the fifth minute after denying Bryan Mbeumo a goalscoring opportunity.
As a result, Enzo Maresca sacrificed Estevao Willian to bring on Filip Jorgensen before Neto was replaced by Tosin Adarabioyo.
Cole Palmer was also withdrawn, with the attacking midfielder not 100% fit.
Pedro Neto lets out roar after being substituted in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United
Understandably, Neto was frustrated after being taken off. It was very early in the game and the fixture was a huge one.
The winger was so frustrated that he could be heard letting out a roar as he left the pitch, according to Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan.
Despite feeling that the 25-year-old has not done enough in a blue shirt, Arsenal legend and Chelsea supporter Paul Merson wanted to see Neto start at Old Trafford.
In the end, he got his wish, but Sanchez’s reckless moment brought his appearance to a very premature end.
This season, Neto has played five times in the Premier League and managed just the one goal so far. He will now be hoping that he remains on the pitch for much longer in Chelsea’s next top-flight match against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Should Enzo Maresca have taken off Pedro Neto following Robert Sanchez’s red card?
One attacker obviously had to be sacrificed after Sanchez’s dismissal so that another goalkeeper could be brought on, and that attacker was Estevao.
The decision to take off Neto almost immediately after was not necessary. Chelsea brought on another defender and still ended up conceding twice in the first half.
Maresca could have waited a little bit longer but opted against doing so and removed all of Chelsea’s attacking threat after leaving Joao Pedro up front all on his own.
The Chelsea manager was not in a favourable position, but he hit the panic button perhaps a bit too early.
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