Pedro Neto gets ‘honest’ about whether he likes playing as striker and key difference between Chelsea and Wolves

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It’s been very interesting to see Pedro Neto emerge as the answer to Chelsea’s striker problem in the last couple of matches.

Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu are the recognised centre-forwards in the Chelsea squad, but both are currently sidelined with respective injury problems.

Christopher Nkunku struggled at striker as he led the line in recent back-to-back losses against Brighton. However, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has tried something different in the last week.

In the Blues’ weekend defeat to Aston Villa, Pedro Neto was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI at striker. In fairness, the 24-year-old winger looked pretty effective in his new role down the middle of the attack.

Now, Neto has followed that up with a brilliant performance in Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over Southampton, scoring and assisting as the No 9.

• READ MORE: Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand heap praise on Pedro Neto for something he did really well in Chelsea’s win vs Southampton, has nothing to do with goal or assist

Pedro Neto is loving striker position at Chelsea

It’s not a surprise to hear that Neto is enjoying his new role on the pitch because he’s looked super impressive in the last couple of matches.

When asked about how much he’s enjoying playing down the middle, Neto told TNT Sports: “To be honest, a lot. I don’t have to run as much running back. I have more energy to run in front.

“I have a free role as well to play there. I like to receive [to feet]. I like to go in the back. I’m really enjoying playing there.”

Levi Colwill has called Neto “amazing” for the way he’s made the seamless step into the striker position.

His form during his debut season at Stamford Bridge so far has been a bit inconsistent in his common wide role, but we’re seeing him step up when his team needs him the most.

Pedro Neto mentions the difference between Chelsea and Wolves

In the TNT Sports video above, Neto also opened up on the major difference between Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, citing the types of defences he comes up against.

Neto said: “When I was at Wolves, I knew that the teams against us normally they would play a high block. When I came here [to Chelsea], we faced more of a low block.

“In the beginning of the season teams saw that it was really difficult to press high against us. I was adding to my game to play in small spaces, training alone, these kind of dribbles in small spaces.”

When Neto left Wolves to join Chelsea in the summer of 2024, he surely had the intention of kicking on and growing into one of the world’s best wingers. If he is to achieve that, he’s simply got to deliver more attacking output.

At the start of February, Neto admitted his form could definitely improve after a slow start at Chelsea. He’s now got two goals and two assists in his previous four league appearances as he starts to build some rhythm.