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Neto 'an undisputed starter going forward'

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[BBC]
Pedro Neto celebrates a goal for Chelsea against Arsenal
[Getty Images]

Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho and Nicolas Jackson have all had their time in the sun this season. On Sunday, it was Pedro Neto's turn to take the spotlight.

The culmination of his performance against Arsenal was his goal - a wicked, left-footed strike that fizzed between defenders and beyond David Raya's reach to level the scores.

However, long before that he had made significant impacts on the game. From his bamboozling of Ben White before delivering a superb far-post cross, to his admirable work-rate tracking up and down his side of the pitch to prevent Arsenal's midfielders from finding angles out wide.

The fact that his best cross came from the left-hand side and his best shot from the right, following a change in set-up by manager Enzo Maresca, highlights Neto's other great quality: versatility.

That attribute means he will always have a place in the team, no matter which other winger is currently in form and played opposite him

This star showing from the Portugal international saw him play all 90 minutes of a league game for the third match running. That shows the faith Maresca has in him, as well as giving the proof that he is really physically up to speed now.

The biggest red flag raised by his big-money move from Wolves in the summer was his injury record and, if he has put those issues behind him, he looks set to be an undisputed starter for this team going forward.

Find more from Will Faulks at Chelsea News

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[BBC]