Pedro Neto put in a standout display, helping Chelsea claim a convincing 5-1 win against Bournemouth. The Portuguese talent showcased his flair on the right wing, emerging as one of the pivotal players in Xabi Alonso's setup.
Coming off the back of two winless Premier League matches, Chelsea returned to the top five in style. Jordan Henderson netted a brace, while Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro also found the back of the net.
Neto himself added to the scoresheet with his first assist of the season. Early in the second half, he burst down the right flank, capitalised on a defender's mistake, and accurately laid the ball off for Joao Pedro to strike.
However, his contribution didn't stop there.
The winger touched the ball six times in the opponent's box—more than any other player on the pitch. He also had a dangerous shot that the goalkeeper palmed away off the near post.
Constantly threatening down his flank, Neto completed three of five dribbles and clocked a top speed of 34.2 km/h—the best in the match.
Defensively, he was equally diligent, winning six duels, making two interceptions, three clearances, and tracking back effectively.
Last season, Neto faced criticism for his decision-making in the final third, despite registering 13 goals and 10 assists across all competitions.
Under Xabi Alonso, his role has evolved. The 26-year-old is now more expansive and deeper, effectively owning the right flank.
This summer, speculation surrounded Neto’s future at Chelsea, yet in September, the club extended his contract until 2032. This match against Bournemouth served as further validation of why Chelsea are keen to tie their future to the Portuguese winger.
