Renato Veiga reacts to Pedro Neto message ahead of Chelsea exit – ‘Let’s go’
Pedro Neto played a key role in Chelsea’s win over Los Angeles FC as one of his compatriots faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea got their Club World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 2-0 victory over LAFC in Atlanta on Monday, with Enzo Maresca’s Blues and Flamengo now level at the top of Group D.
Neto’s opener in the 34th minute capitalised on a dominant first half for Chelsea, and Liam Delap came off the bench midway through the second to set up Enzo Fernandez’s clincher 11 minutes from full-time.
Delap wasn’t the only new face to make his debut against LAFC as Dario Essugo was also brought on late for his first appearance since an £18.5million move from Sporting, and that movement is set to continue for the Blues.
Neto delivers new Chelsea message as exit-linked star responds
Essugo adds further to Chelsea‘s plentiful options out wide, but as the only member of Maresca‘s front six to see out the full 90 minutes against LAFC, Neto’s starting spot on the flanks is currently his to lose.
The 25-year-old Portuguese international notched seven goals and nine assists in his maiden season at Stamford Bridge, and that first-half strike will rubber-stamp Neto’s place ahead of several other options.
Neto posted on Instagram at full-time (16 June) to celebrate Chelsea’s win and his own personal award of ‘Superior Player of the Match’, and said: “We started in the right way – let’s go Blues”.
Several Blues players liked Neto’s post, while out-of-favour defender Renato Veiga commented with a ‘heart eyes’ emoji following his return from a half-season loan spell with Juventus in Serie A.
Neto and Veiga at opposite ends of Chelsea pecking order
Football Insider Verdict
Neto’s place in Maresca’s starting XI looks assured in West London ahead of next season, but things couldn’t be more different for Veiga after he was deemed surplus to requirements after just six months.
The Portuguese’s £12million arrival from Basel last summer has resulted in just seven Premier League appearances, and Juventus have turned down the chance to extend or make his loan spell permanent.
Football Insider revealed on 21 April that a proposed £30m bid from Tottenham for Veiga would be instantly accepted by Chelsea, but the sour relations between the two rivals makes any deal look unlikely.