“I have said this multiple times but this is the final straw. Their performance during yesterday’s match was the last straw. He has only been a disappointment” – This is according to Chelsea legend Didier Drogba as he claims that The manager needs to immediately bench the Chelsea player who failed to win any of their challenges, despite having a decent overall performance rating of 4 out of 10.
It seems highly improbable that Pedro Neto will keep his starting position on the right wing for the next game. Additionally, even his position on the left side of the pitch is at risk. This stems primarily from Jadon Sancho’s outstanding debut performance, which saw him being named man of the match. Sancho’s display has not only impressed but also set him up to make a big statement at Stamford Bridge, where he could very well replace Neto in the starting eleven.
Chelsea’s development under the guidance of their new manager, Enzo Maresca, has been slowly but surely coming into focus. Their campaign began with a predictable defeat to the reigning champions, Manchester City, but the team rebounded impressively in their second outing. They claimed a convincing 6-2 win over Wolves, a match that highlighted their potential, with standout performances from players such as Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer, who led the charge against Gary O’Neil’s squad.
However, the momentum seemed to falter when Chelsea only managed a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, a team that has been struggling. This result came as a disappointment for the club, halting what looked like a promising upward trajectory.
Chelsea bounced back once more in a hard-fought encounter against Bournemouth, securing a narrow 1-0 victory in the closing moments of the game. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez delivered a much-needed standout performance, making a critical penalty save that kept the team in contention. This heroic stop paved the way for Christopher Nkunku to score the late winning goal.
Interestingly, while Nkunku started in the season opener against Manchester City, he found himself relegated to the bench in subsequent league games. This change is likely a result of the fierce competition for attacking roles in the squad under Maresca’s management. Despite being benched, Nkunku’s contributions remain pivotal, and his return to the starting lineup could be imminent, especially considering the underwhelming performances from some of his teammates in the recent matches.
One such player who struggled was defender Axel Disasi. His performance in the last game was subpar, marking him as one of the weakest players on the field. Maresca has faced a considerable challenge in improving Chelsea’s defensive structure, with this task being made even harder by the early-season absence of captain Reece James. However, the team has benefited from new signings, including Tosin Adarabioyo and Renato Veiga, who have bolstered the squad’s depth, particularly in defense.
For the match against Bournemouth, Maresca opted to play Veiga in midfield while experimenting with Disasi’s position. Typically a central defender, Disasi was pushed into the right-back role to cover for the injured James and Gusto. Unfortunately, this tactical adjustment backfired. Disasi’s discomfort in this unfamiliar position was evident, and his poor showing led to him being substituted after just 61 minutes on the pitch.
The statistics from Disasi’s performance reveal a dismal outing: he failed to win any of his duels, allowed opponents to dribble past him twice, and lost possession on nine occasions. His struggles were not confined to defense, as he failed to make any impact going forward, offering no crosses, dribbles, or key passes to trouble the opposition’s defense.
On the opposite flank, Pedro Neto didn’t fare much better and now faces the possibility of being dropped to the bench for the next match. With Chelsea boasting an array of attacking talents, forwards are under constant pressure to perform at their best. Any dip in form could result in a quick demotion from the starting lineup, and Neto seems to be the latest player under scrutiny.
Neto’s performance was particularly poor, and he was substituted at halftime. His lack of impact was highlighted by a lackluster statistical showing—completing just 67% of his passes, making only one key pass, and failing in all his dribble attempts. In stark contrast, Jadon Sancho, who came on as Neto’s replacement, made an immediate impact in his debut, providing the assist for Nkunku’s winning goal. The contrast between the two players could not have been more glaring.
Sancho’s debut has now put Neto’s place in further jeopardy. While Neto did provide an assist during Chelsea’s 6-2 rout of Wolves, his overall performances since joining from the Midlands club have been underwhelming. It’s also worth noting that he hasn’t been played in his preferred right-wing position, which might explain some of his struggles. However, with Madueke and Palmer excelling on the right side, it seems unlikely that Neto will reclaim that spot any time soon.
In the upcoming games, Neto’s starting role is far from secure, especially with Sancho’s impressive debut. Sancho’s stellar first outing has positioned him to play a more significant role moving forward, and Neto could find himself watching from the sidelines as Chelsea’s squad continues to evolve under Maresca’s leadership.
