Roberto Martinez explains why he subbed off Chelsea’s Pedro Neto in Portugal’s win on Sunday

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Chelsea winger Pedro Neto featured for Portugal in their 2-1 win against Scotland in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday.

Pedro Neto, who joined Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, started on the right for his country.

Chelsea teammate Joao Felix also made an appearance, while Renato Veiga was an unused substitute.

Neto was withdrawn from the game at half-time and his manager, Roberto Martinez, has explained why. While he only played 45 minutes of the match, Chelsea fans were still impressed with Neto.

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Roberto Martinez discusses Pedro Neto substitution

Martinez just looks to be protecting Neto, while the Portugal manager was also keen to freshen things up during his side’s win against Scotland.

Speaking to Sic Noticias after the game, Martinez said: “Rafael Leao hasn’t played 90 minutes yet. Pedro Neto, on the right, hadn’t played 90 minutes either. They came off because we needed fresh players.

“Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto did their job. Being able to make five changes allows us to do that, to maintain the high level until the end of the game.”

Neto was Chelsea’s most expensive signing during the summer transfer window, and Peter Crouch thinks Neto is a good addition.

Pedro Neto unlikely to play full 90 minutes against Bournemouth

Chelsea face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday when club football returns. Neto may not start that game, though, let alone play the full 90 minutes.

The 24-year-old is still looking to do that for the first time this season. But with Neto having been away on international duty and Chelsea signing Jadon Sancho, the former Borussia Dortmund man could easily start ahead of him.

Sancho has delighted Enzo Maresca following his arrival at Chelsea and will be more fresh than Neto after not being called up by England. It would not be a surprise, then, if he got the nod ahead of Neto.

With both players being quite versatile wingers, though, there is no reason why Maresca cannot start both of them at the Vitality Stadium.

The Italian is a bit spoilt for choice at the moment, but it is certainly a good problem to have. Neto has already given Chelsea supporters a glimpse of what he can do, assisting Felix in the Blues’ 6-2 win against his former side.