Chelsea Transfer News: Enzo Maresca Raises Doubts Over Pedro Neto, Praises Jadon Sancho.
Chelsea had a summer transfer window in which they signed a host of talented players, looking to boost their ranks especially in the attacking positions. However, according to the views of Enzo Maresca, apparently not all of these signings have been effective as initially anticipated, more so with Pedro Neto.
Chelsea's Recruitment Frenzy
Since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022, Chelsea has been making the headlines for its aggressive transfer approach. This summer was no exception as the club added a double-digit number of new players to its roster. Most of the signings were intended to bolster Chelsea's attack; one such example is Pedro Neto, mainly signed to help the left wing of the attack, which has been a problem lately, especially with Mykhailo Mudryk not performing well.
Pedro Neto's Off Day
Despite being left-footed, Neto is more comfortable playing on the right flank, something which was clearly evident in Chelsea's match against Bournemouth, where he struggled to make an impact. His match was cut short when substituted at halftime by Enzo Maresca. The Chelsea coach replaced Neto with Jadon Sancho, who made an instant impact in his debut, assisting Christopher Nkunku's late match-winner.
Sancho's Instant Impact
Sancho, who joined Chelsea on Deadline Day on an initial loan from Manchester United, made what Maresca termed a "dream debut". The 24-year-old winger - who already looks an important weapon under Maresca given his ability to win one-on-one situations and create goal-scoring opportunities -.
"When we brought Jadon in, it was because we needed another winger like Noni [Madueke]," Maresca explained after the Bournemouth match. "Noni is doing it on the right side, winning one-vs-ones, creating chances, and scoring goals. We were looking for the same on our left side."
Question Marks Over Neto and Mudryk
Maresca's words have thus brought into question the positions of both Pedro Neto and Mykhailo Mudryk for the rest of the season. Neto, bought into Chelsea for €63 million, seems not to fit in with Maresca's schemata. The same applies to Mudryk, purchased for €70 million, who was described as one of Chelsea's greatest failures up until now this season.
Sancho: A Late Gamble That Paid Off
In hindsight, the call to sign Sancho was incredibly late in the transfer window and while seemingly opportunistic it is now obvious Chelsea viewed the situation as an opportunity they couldn't let slip by them. His immediate impact has been a surprise - he already looks more fitting to Maresca's style of play than Neto despite the Italian being a substantial summer investment.
Conclusion
Chelsea's wild recruitment strategy brings question marks once again, particularly as Enzo Maresca's latest comments have thrown doubt over whether Neto and Mudryk can reach the required level for the club. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho's excellent debut suggests that maybe the Blues found a better solution to the wide options, even if it was a last-minute addition. With the season still in its first month, attention now shifts to Neto and Mudryk to prove their worth, or risk becoming a pawn and expensive benchwarmer in Chelsea's lineup that is in constant evolution.
