Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has revealed that the intense competition for places in the squad is taking a toll on players, saying “no one can sleep” due to the rivalry.
Neto, who signed for Chelsea from Wolves in the summer for £54million, is fighting for a regular starting spot in Enzo Maresca‘s lineup.
The 24-year-old faces stiff competition from Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho, and Mykhailo Mudryk, but made a strong case for himself with a goal in Chelsea’s 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow.
The winger’s goal against Barrow marked his first for Chelsea, and he will look to build on this momentum as the season progresses.
Neto said:
“With the amount of quality that we have here, no one can sleep.”
“As the coach has said, ‘everyone will not play every game’.
So we have to work hard and make for ourselves and continue to do it every weekend, every training session, every game.
Also See: Chelsea Thrash Barrow 5-0 Cruise Into Carabao Cup Fourth Round
It’s the mentality that I hope can take us to the top.”
“Everyone has to work hard. When you arrive at a big club, it is a new adaptation.
“Maybe in Wolverhampton, I was going to play maybe 90% of the games.
Here I have to work even more or maybe I’ll not play because the coach will rotate the players.
It makes you play even better because you know that you have to work. But even at Wolverhampton, if I was playing 90% of the games, I would go into every training session to be the best.”
Neto’s performance was a testament to his skills, which were also on display during Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign.
“I continue to work on my confidence, on my football, on the adaptation, and I hope to be [fully fit] as soon as I can.
“I’m settling in really good. I needed time. I needed the pre-season. I went to the European Championship without playing many games.
“But I am here. I am working hard to get into my best shape, and I will continue to work to give happiness to this club and to bring this club to where it deserves to be.”
Chelsea’s next match is against Brighton, and Neto will likely face increased competition for a starting spot.
With the squad’s depth and talent, Maresca’s lineup choices will be crucial in determining Chelsea’s success this season.
