Chelsea has reached an agreement with Wolves for the transfer of Pedro Neto, who is set to move from Molineux to Stamford Bridge.
According to football.london, the Blues are close to securing the 24-year-old winger’s signature, with Chelsea agreeing to pay Wolves £51 million, plus an additional £2.5 million in potential add-ons.
Chelsea’s search for a winger seems to be concluding with Neto’s imminent arrival in SW6. football.london explores who stands to gain or lose if this deal is finalized.
Winners
Enzo Maresca is undoubtedly one of the big winners for Chelsea. As the Italian begins his tenure at Stamford Bridge, acquiring a highly skilled winger like Neto could significantly simplify the head coach’s task.
During his brief stint at Leicester City, Maresca demonstrated that his system heavily relies on wingers, and the early signs suggest that Chelsea will adopt a similar approach.
Another player likely to benefit from Neto’s arrival is Nicolas Jackson. Last season, the Portuguese international provided nine assists for his Wolves teammates in the Premier League. Jackson will be hopeful that Neto can replicate this form in a Chelsea shirt in the upcoming season.
Losers
It’s pretty clear who the biggest loser would be if Chelsea signs Neto—Noni Madueke. Currently, the England Under-21 international appears to be Maresca’s preferred choice on the right wing. However, with Neto’s arrival, Madueke might find it challenging to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup.
Neto’s presence will likely mean Cole Palmer will shift to a more central role in the coming season. Additionally, Neto’s ability to play on the left wing could spell trouble for players like Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling.
