Chelsea Transfer News: Stats show why Chelsea are spending big to sign Neto

 

Pedro Neto has his admirers, and deservedly so. Despite his spells on the sidelines, the Portugal international impressed for Wolves last season, registering nine assists and netting twice across 20 league outings. North London pair Arsenal and Tottenham had been credited with an interest in the winger, yet it's Chelsea who look to have won the race to sign the 24-year-old. 

 

It's a move that has caught many off guard. Yes, Neto had been expected to leave Wolves this summer but few would have predicted Chelsea, who have one of the largest squads in the Premier League as is, would spend big to sign the Portuguese forward. What makes the move all the more perplexing is that the Blues already have a number of players who can operate in the same position as Neto. 

 

 

Should Enzo Maresca continue with a 4-3-3 system, as had been expected, then the right wing spot is already well covered with both Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer. There is the possibility Maresca could use a 4-2-3-1 and use the latter in the number 10 role, but even so; Chelsea aren't short of options out wide. 

 

There are also concerns over Neto's injury history. He hasn't started more than 20 league matches in a single season since the 2020/21 campaign due to one issue or another, and has missed over 100 games since April 2021. That being said, when fit, Neto is a devastating winger who can lay claim to being one of best in the division. 

 

And while it's true that Chelsea have a number of attacking options in the ranks, none boast the same drive and creative output as Neto. Indeed, only Kevin De Bruyne (122.7) boasted a better mins per assist record than Neto (168.8) in the Premier League last season, that coming from an average of 2.2 key passes per 90; of those to make at least 20 appearances, that return ranked 24th. 

 

Crucially is that he brings this drive to force his way into positions to create for teammates. Neto returned 2.2 successful dribbles per 90 in the Premier League last season, and he'll be joining a Chelsea side that ranked second for dribbles per 90 (10.5) in England's top tier last term. The team that beat the Blues to top this metric? Wolves (10.9). 

 

As such, Chelsea developed a statistically calculated WhoScored strength of 'creating chances through individual skill'. While some would hope for a more cohesive gameplan that meant there wasn't a reliance on the more dynamic players in the squad, that Neto is able to combine both his ability to create for teammates with the ease with which he can breeze past a marker is a boost for the Blues. 

 

 

Factor in the versatility to his game - Neto is better off the right but can play down the left - and it's easy to see why Chelsea have made their big money move for the Wolves star. This is perhaps key for the Blues. It's no secret that Chelsea have been looking to sign a left winger this summer, with Nico Williams previously linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. Barcelona's interest in Williams, coupled with the player's desire to remain in Spain, meant a deal was more difficult to complete. 

 

Neto does fit the profile of winger that Chelsea have explored, while the club have struggled to find the right fit for a player to operate down the left. Neither Mykhailo Mudryk nor Raheem Sterling inspire confidence at Stamford Bridge, evident in that just 30% of Chelsea's attacks came down the left flank last season, that the lowest return in the Premier League. For context, 41% of their attacks came down the right, the joint-highest. They need to balance that out to add to the unpredictability in the final third. 

 

It's a move that perhaps left many scratching their heads but in what is another chaotic window for Chelsea, there is method to the madness in pursuing Neto.

Chelsea Transfer News: Stats show why Chelsea are spending big to sign Neto