“I love playing in this position with Cole Palmer” – Pedro Neto has already told Enzo Maresca his best position at Chelsea
Pedro Neto is close to joining Chelsea, people close to the situation have told Chelsea247
Since the summer transfer market opened, the Blues have been interested in wingers, having shown interest in both Nico Williams and Michael Olise. However, Chelsea is now on the verge of obtaining their man.
Chelsea247 understands that the west Londoners and Wolves have agreed to a £51 million deal (plus an additional £2.5 million) for Neto’s signing. The Portugal international is anticipated to become Chelsea’s most costly acquisition of the summer transfer season, pending the results of a medical.
This summer, Chelsea has focused on hiring players who are versatile enough to play a variety of roles. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and other new signing Renato Veiga are versatile midfielders who can play in a variety of positions, including center back, left back, and in defensive midfield.
It seems with Neto that there is very much the same ideology behind the soon-to-be signing. Predominantly a right winger, Neto has also been used on the left-hand side for Wolves in recent times. He himself, though, is not bothered where he is played – as long as he is on the pitch.
“When I’m on the left I would be more vertical, but on the right I have more options: bringing the ball to the middle or going outside,” Neto said in an interview with the Telegraph last year. “I always say that if I’m running on the pitch I am happy! I will play in any position. I don’t feel any difference.”
Chelsea will be hopeful of completing the signing before next weekend’s Premier League opener against Manchester City. Neto could well be in the squad for that one – and then a swift return to Molineux a week later to take on what will then be his former club.
Neto came on late in Wolves’ pre-season friendly victory against RB Leipzig on August 4 as he continues to build his fitness up this summer. That was his first appearance in pre-season after returning to the club late following his commitment to Portugal in the Euros that concluded last month.