Scouting Report: Pedro Neto

What can the versatile Portuguese attacker bring to Chelsea?

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Pedro Neto Scouting Report

General Information:

• Date of Birth: March 9, 2000 (24 years old)

• Nationality: Portuguese

• Current Club: Chelsea (Pending Medical)

• Position: AM/Winger

Physical Attributes:

• Height: 172 cm (5'8")

• Preferred Foot: Left

• Build: Slight.

Positives:

• Passing

Neto’s role as a WAM (Wide Attacking Midfielder) emphasizes chance creation, ball progression, and finishing.

Neto's standout metric is his assists an overall chance creation with 9 assists placing him in the top 10% of all players. His open play expected assists (opxA) per 90 minutes is 0.21, indicating a strong ability to set up scoring opportunities. He excels in delivering crosses, averaging 6.82 per 90 minutes with a 29% accuracy rate, both metrics ranking him in the top quartile. His ability to find teammates in dangerous areas is further highlighted by his 7.83 passes into the penalty area per 90 minutes, placing him in the top quartile.

When you talk about Pedro Neto there is the before his injuries and the after. Before his knee injury Neto created an enormous amount of big chances in over 2500 minutes played. As we can see there was an amazing variety of different locations that his chances were passed into the box. This speaks to the positional versatility he has which is what warranted the £51m transfer fee.

Since his consistent injury problems keeping him out for 105 matches his production has dwindled, but last season he did reach his highest minutes total since the injury with 1,516 and put up his best numbers yet in terms of chances creation with 9 assists.

I think creativity is something that Neto can implement into the squad immediately with him on one flank and Cole Palmer on the other. Now we just need someone to finish off those chances (Osimhen?).

• Dribbling

Neto's ball progression is characterized by his high percentile in progressive carries (82.5%), demonstrating his skill in advancing the ball towards the opponent's goal. His expected threat (xT) from carries per 90 minutes is 0.09, which is in the top quartile, indicating his effectiveness in creating scoring chances through his dribbling. Despite losing possession 17.85 times per 90 minutes, this is a common trait among creative players who take risks to unlock defenses.

Neto is extrememly gifted with ball at his feet. His pace and willingness to take defenders is special. Just watch.

HIs progression is very impressive also. Someone who can be flexible and carry the ball from deep positions and as seen in the Maresca’s system wide playmaking and carrying the ball can be critical.

Ah the heck with it here is another clip

Things to Work On:

• Goal Scoring

In terms of finishing, Neto's goals per expected goals (xG) ratio is 0.71, suggesting he is underperforming slightly compared to the chances he's had. His non-penalty xG per shot is 0.08, indicating a need for improvement in shot selection or positioning to increase his scoring potential.

I think that this is one of the most important things that we hope to see flouish at Chelsea. Neto has all of the tools to be not just a good goalscorer, but an elite one at his position.

• Injuries

Without a question Neto’s injury concerns are the biggest wildcard in this all. Since that 2020-21 season it has been tough for him to stay fit. He has missed well over 150 matches since his knee injury and since the knee injury he has suffered from hamstring injuries that have kept him out for some time even going back into last season.

Now Chelsea have had their own injury crisis over the past few years so understanding how to keep him fit is a project in their own. Luckily Chelsea have the ability to not force Neto out there all the time. With their stable of wingers and attacking midfielders, I don’t think that Chelsea will have to rely on him as much as he gets integrated into the program.

In summary, Pedro Neto is a dynamic attacking threat, particularly effective in creating chances through crosses and passes into the penalty area. His ball progression through carries is a key asset, although there is room for improvement in his finishing efficiency. I really hope that he can stay fit, because all of the rhetoric and thoughts about his work ethic and desire to be great is an extremely promising proposition.

~ CFCDP (Dylan)