Portuguese media reacts to international display from Chelsea’s Pedro Neto vs Croatia

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Chelsea and Portugal star Pedro Neto was in action yesterday for his country in the Nations League tournament.

Chelsea have the trio of Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Renato Veiga in the Portuguese squad during this September international break. It was only the former who get any minutes in Portugal’s 2-1 victory against Croatia on Thursday night, though.

Neto, 24, was named in the Portugal starting XI on the right wing. He played the opening 45 minutes before being taken off at half-time due to his lack of football recently.

Chelsea fans raved about Neto’s display against Croatia, but there’s not quite been the same reaction in the media to his contribution for his country.

• READ MORE: Roy Keane and Ian Wright completely disagree over Pedro Neto’s move to Chelsea from Wolves

Media reacts to Pedro Neto display

Portuguese media has delivered its verdict on an average performance from Chelsea’s Neto in the Portugal victory over Croatia.

A Bola wrote: “Pedro Neto (5) – He started on the right and that didn’t do him much good. In the 40th minute, when he started to run into the middle, he served Nuno Mendes with judgement, but the move went astray. He got excited about the move and three minutes later recovered the ball just in front of the defensive area, leaving everyone behind at speed, but his shot with his right foot hit the post. The woodwork prevented him from improving on the previous situation, when he was late and didn’t follow [Borna] Sosa in the move that led to the Croatian goal.”

Match statistics

FotMob data has provided the statistics from Neto’s individual performance in Portugal’s win on Thursady…

• Match rating – 6.2
• Minutes played – 45
• Goals – 0
• Assists – 0
• Total shots – 1
• Shots on target – 0
• Successful dribbles – 0/1
• Big chances missed – 1
• Touches in opposition box – 1
• Touches – 22
• Accurate passes – 15/16
• Accurate crosses – 0/2
• Interceptions – 1

It’s obvious that Neto is still fighting to get fully match fit since his transfer to Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer. In fairness, he’s not completed 90 minutes in a competitive match since February.

The versatile attacker, who can play on either wing or more centrally, is showing flashes of individual brilliance so far this season. Blues supporters should be excited about when everything clicks into gear for him at the same time.