Pedro Neto is flourishing in a converted wing-back role for Chelsea, evoking memories of Victor Moses' vital adaptation during the club's 2017 Premier League title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte. The 26-year-old Portuguese attacker highlighted his growing importance under manager Xabi Alonso by scoring both goals from wing-back in Saturday's 2-0 victory against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. His recent rise caps a dramatic turnaround after a summer of uncertainty, having now signed a long-term contract running until 2032.
The current setup seemed far from guaranteed just months ago. Following a turbulent season in which Enzo Maresca departed on New Year's Day and Liam Rosenior lasted less than four months during a 10th-place finish, Neto was among the squad members feeling frustrated. Chelsea were open to offers and had placed a £100m valuation on the player, while questions lingered over how he would adapt to playing as a wing-back. However, following the arrival of Alonso—and contract extensions for teammates Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, Reece James, and Moises Caicedo—Neto committed his future and publicly endorsed the manager's project.
The tactical adjustment has dramatically elevated Neto's productivity. After registering 14 goals and 27 assists in 135 matches for Wolves prior to his £54m transfer in 2024, he posted 19 goals and 19 assists in 103 games for Chelsea before Alonso took charge. This term, his scoring rate has more than doubled, producing four goals and one assist across nine appearances, three of which came off the bench. Premier League data highlights his broader impact: touches in the opposition box have climbed from 3.6 to 5.3 per 90 minutes, successful dribbles rose from 1.6 to 1.8 (with a success rate increase from 43.5% to 52.6%), and open-play chances created jumped from 1.5 to 1.8. Defensively, aided by athleticism he links to growing up in a roller-hockey playing family, his tackles per 90 have increased from 0.7 to 2.0, while possessions won rose from 2.9 to 3.9.
Neto's dual-threat capability serves Alonso's asymmetric strategy, which demands fewer attacking duties from left-sided wing-backs Jorrel Hato or Pep Chavarria, freeing Neto to push forward on the opposite flank. The Portuguese had previously proven his defensive discipline by man-marking Achraf Hakimi during Chelsea's 3-0 Club World Cup final victory over Paris St-Germain in 2025. Following Saturday's match, Alonso lauded his contribution: "You can call him whatever you want. Winger, wing-back, attacking player, defensive player. He can do many things. Today he did well. He is very competitive and whenever he is close to the action he is a threat against any full-back." Known as a dressing room joker, Neto also recently joked with former Wolves teammate Conor Coady on Sky Sports following a 6-3 Carabao Cup win against Leeds, remarking, "Now I am a wing-back, lad," before adding: "In my head, I always have to run back and help my defenders as well." Just as Moses did during Chelsea's 13-game winning run a decade ago, Neto has embraced the transition to become an indispensable weapon on the right.