Chelsea fans destroyed ‘useless’ player just two months ago, now he’s key to Enzo Maresca’s success
Enzo Maresca appears to have achieved more than just positive results after Chelsea’s brilliant victory over Barcelona.
It was not long ago that questions were being asked about Maresca’s future at Stamford Bridge, but with just one defeat in the Blues’ last six Premier League games, those concerns have vanished.
Should Chelsea beat Arsenal on Sunday, 30 November, they would move within three points of the league leaders, with Man City and Aston Villa just a few points behind.
That is certainly possible after Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Barcelona, with goals coming from Estevao, Liam Delap, and a Jules Kounde own goal, but one player’s performance went under the radar.
Pedro Neto plays a completely selfless role against Barcelona
While Joao Pedro has been out of form recently, heads were turned when neither he nor Delap appeared in the starting lineup, leaving Pedro Neto to deputise as a makeshift centre-forward.
It was just two months ago when Chelsea lost to Brighton in dramatic circumstances that the Portuguese winger was ripped to shreds by the fans, calling him out as “useless” and “selfish”.
He had missed opportunities, took on shots from impossible angles, and was dispossessed several times, but it seemed like an unfair verdict after Trevoh Chalobah was given his marching orders.
Now, supporters might think twice before launching into another attack on the 25-year-old, having given everything to help the team to three points against one of La Liga’s fiercest clubs.
Chelsea star’s performance in numbers at Stamford Bridge
Not quite to the level of Erling Haaland at Man City, but Neto has carried the Blues forward in the final third, notching three goals and two assists in his last seven games across all competitions.
While he was unable to get his name on the scoresheet against Barca, he was absolutely vital to securing all three points, but his performance went somewhat under the radar at Stamford Bridge.
He got two shots on target, albeit missing two big chances in the process, attempted five dribbles, made two recoveries, launched into nine ground duels, and was even fouled once [FotMob].
It may not make for incredible reading on paper, but mainly due to his pace, he was an absolute menace all night, causing so many issues for the opposition, which his teammates could benefit from.
Maresca has done wonders to turn his own form around in West London, but getting fans to fall back in love with Neto has been a masterstroke from the former Leicester City boss.