Carlton Cole claims Chelsea star has just received the ‘extra boost’ he desperately needed

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Carlton Cole has explained that one Chelsea star has just received the kind of boost that his season needed.

Chelsea are still firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification because of their dramatic 2-1 win away to Fulham on Sunday.

The Blues came from behind late on to earn three points at Craven Cottage, which keeps them in touching distance of the top five in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	33	24	7	2	75	31	44	79
2	ArsenalArsenal	33	18	12	3	61	27	34	66
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	33	18	6	9	53	39	14	60
4	NewcastleNewcastle	33	18	5	10	62	44	18	59
5	Man CityManchester City	33	17	7	9	64	42	22	58
6	ChelseaChelsea	33	16	9	8	58	40	18	57
7	Aston VillaAston Villa	33	16	9	8	53	47	6	57

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will serve a touchline ban for Saturday’s match at home to Everton after picking up his third booking of the season in the Fulham victory.

The Blues manager isn’t the most popular man with the club’s supporters because of the inconsistent form in 2025, but let’s see if he can finish the season strongly to get them back on his side.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca’s interesting reaction to Chelsea’s last-minute win against Fulham amid ‘wild celebrations’ from Blues players

Carlton Cole claims Pedro Neto goal should give him much-needed boost

Carlton Cole thinks that Pedro Neto, 25, has had a challenging debut year so far in Chelsea colours. However, the Portuguese winger popped up with a match-winning goal against Fulham at the weekend.

According to former Blues striker Cole, Neto will move forward with an extra spring in his step after Sunday’s contribution.

He said on the The Dressing Room Podcast: “Neto, he hasn’t had the best of starts to his Chelsea career just yet. That [goal] will give him a lovely boost. I know it’s his first season, but at the same time he needs that extra boost.”

Joe Cole, another former Blues player, raved about Neto’s thunderous strike that clinched the win at the weekend.

He added on the podcast: “Neto’s goal [against Fulham] was just sensational. One of them that gets you off your chair.”

Following his individual display in Chelsea’s comeback victory against Fulham, Neto made the Premier League Team of the Week. Interestingly, it’s only the second time this season he’s been in WhoScored’s Team of the Week.

It feels like the left-footer is still a tad inconsistent and yet to find his best form. However, he’s scored more goals in his debut season with Chelsea than in any of his campaigns as a Wolves player.

Pedro Neto has answered John Obi Mikel’s concern

While it’s obvious that Neto can perform better on a more consistent basis, perhaps the biggest positive about him this season is that he’s largely stayed free of injuries.

The wide man has already made more appearances in his first season with Chelsea than in each of the previous four years at Wolves, where he had numerous different injury setbacks.

Back in August 2024, Neto’s move to Chelsea worried John Obi Mikel because he flagged the player’s poor injury record in his career. In particular, he struggled with frequent muscular problems during his time at Molineux Stadium.

Thankfully, Neto has answered that concern with 39 appearances and counting this season for the Blues.