Chelsea won their penultimate pre-season match to boost the confidence in Xabi Alonso‘s new-look system. A 3-0 win over AC Milan was arguably Chelsea’s most impressive yet, showcasing dominance on the ball and sharp attacking interplay.
Joao Pedro took centre-stage, bagging twice before half-time in a reminder that he is one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League.
Out on the right flank, Pedro Neto also produced a compelling performance. Not only did he claim an assist, but the Portugal international produced an intense and committed performance, perhaps proving to Alonso that Manchester City’s growing interest should be swatted away.
Why Chelsea should keep Pedro Neto
Neto has been a key player for BlueCo’s Chelsea over the past couple of years, joining the Londoners from Wolves for £54m in 2024.
A dynamic, progressive and creative winger, Neto offers a lot. He is skilled down both wings, but maybe lacks the edge in front of goal that would secure him as a truly elite player.
Indeed, across two Premier League terms with the Blues, Neto has only notched 21 direct goal contributions, and there’s a sense he could be drowned out over the coming year, with Chelsea boasting such an abundance of attacking quality.
Man City want to strike a summer deal, but Chelsea should resist. Even though the 26-year-old is a flawed winger, he has many strengths which Chelsea could benefit from over the course of the campaign ahead.
However, as much as Chelsea must aim to retain Neto’s services this summer, that doesn’t necessarily mean they shouldn’t seek out an upgrade down the right channel, and BlueCo are indeed weighing up a move for one of the most talented forwards in the game.
Chelsea in talks to sign Pedro Neto upgrade
In Rogers, Alonso has a left-sided forward for the ages at Chelsea. This should keep Neto on the right for the lion’s share of the season, but with Geovany Quenda to jockey with, there’s no guarantee the Portuguese will start week in and week out.
His concerns will only be heightened if Chelsea sign Endrick. Yes, your eyesight is fine. According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are in talks with Real Madrid over a possible move for the Brazilian superstar, who spent the latter half of last season on loan with Lyon in France.
Any number of clubs are interested, but Chelsea have been joined by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in demanding a buy clause inserted to any potential deal. Real Madrid hope to loan him out before reeling him back in ten months’ time.
Endrick has found opportunities hard to come by since joining Los Blancos from Palmeiras in his Brazilian homeland two years ago. But a short stay in France reminded the world that he is one of the most exciting prospects out there.
The 20-year-old proved himself a prolific menace of a forward over five months with Lyon, showing himself to be one of the most dangerous forwards in Europe, unstoppable at times.
|
Endrick for Lyon in Ligue 1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
# |
|
Matches (starts) |
16 (14) |
|
Goals + Assists |
5 + 7 |
|
Touches* |
39.7 |
|
Shots (on target)* |
3.1 (1.6) |
|
Accurate passes* |
14.1 (75%) |
|
Big chances created |
9 |
|
Key passes* |
1.9 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
2.3 |
|
Recoveries* |
2.8 |
|
Def. contributions* |
1.3 |
|
Duels won* |
4.6 |
Neto is a dynamic wideman, but he lacks the superstar quality that Endrick brings to the team. The duo could coexist in the wider Chelsea squad, but there’s no question that Endrick would have the better chance of cementing himself as the first-choice forward.
Carlo Ancelotti has waxed lyrical over the “spectacular” forward, suggesting the sky is the limit for one so supremely talented.
The right-sided attacker has world-class potential running through his veins, and he could even prove himself to be Chelsea’s new Eden Hazard, cementing himself as a cut above his teammates (such as Neto).
Neto only scored five times across the course of the 2025/26 campaign. Endrick matched that in Ligue 1, despite only starting 14 times. He is ridiculously powerful and endowed with an unteachable depth of tenacity.
Hazard. One of the best to ever do it. The retired winger did unimaginable things at Stamford Bridge, and he is almost inimitable. However, Endrick could come close, with Thibaut Courtois even remarking in the past that the Brazilian is “like Hazard at Chelsea“, so powerful and skilled as he operated from a small but somewhat stocky frame.
Endrick is the real deal, and while this might be a somewhat ambitious move for a suitor such as Chelsea, there’s no question that Endrick would have the chance to establish himself as Alonso’s main man at Stamford Bridge, emulating Hazard and proving an upgrade on a talented winger such as Neto.
