Chelsea winger Pedro Neto admitted he went through a "bit of a mad" time during the summer transfer window due to uncertainty surrounding his future. The Portuguese attracted interest from Manchester City, Al-Hilal, and Tottenham, but the Blues were determined to keep him, valuing him at £100 million and offering a new long-term contract until 2032.
A key factor in Neto’s decision to stay was the influence of head coach Xabi Alonso. The Portuguese emphasised that the trust shown by the manager was a decisive element:
When you feel valued, you always feel at home.
The 26-year-old has quickly adapted to his new role as a right wing-back in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 tactical setup. Neto has already made his mark, scoring both goals in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Everton.
Pedro also praised the mentality instilled in the team by the Spanish coach:
He encourages us to always be hungry for more.
