“Electric” Chelsea star impressed in cup domination – but still didn’t get the G/A he needs to get first team place back | OneFootball

There were a number of players playing for first team spots in Chelsea’s win against Morecambe this afternoon, some of whom have barely had a look in all year.

Pedro Neto is not in that camp. He’s had extended runs in the team, and until recently he was a regular starter for Enzo Maresca, taking advantage of Noni Madueke’s dropping for poor training performances to cement that role.

But the team’s struggles to score goals in the last few games, along with Neto’s personal difficulties providing a cutting edge in the box (he has one goals and two assists all year) have meant that he’s gradually faded back into being a B team option – with this selection today proving that.

Madueke wasn’t even on the bench today, so we can assume he will play from the start on Tuesday night. Neto has to hope the impression he made today counts for a lot.

Neto needs to show “electric” pace more often

Pedro Neto dashes into space in the FA Cup. (Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Image)

The good news for Neto was that he did well today. At least commentator and former Blue Jason Cundy thought so when speaking on the Chelsea website:

“What a brilliant run from Neto. I see this… you haven’t seen it as many times in a blue shirt… where he drives from deep,” Cundy said.

“His pace is electric and he’s got such body awareness. He knows when he toes it in front of you, his pace is going to get in front of the opposition and they can’t touch him.”

He’s right – we know exactly what we can get from Neto, and it’s deadly. It’s just a question of him and Enzo Maresca working together to make it more regular in the Premier League.