How Xabi Alonso Reinvented Pedro Neto as Chelsea's Wing-Back

Perhaps Alonso recognised an ability in Neto that the player himself had not fully realised.

Although Chelsea paid Wolves £54m for him in 2024, the forward had not previously been a consistent source of goals, registering 14 goals and 27 assists across 135 matches for the Midlands side.

His numbers rose only slightly at Stamford Bridge before Alonso took charge, as he recorded 19 goals and 19 assists in 103 games.

Since Alonso’s arrival, however, Neto has produced four goals and one assist in nine appearances this season, even though he started three of those matches on the bench. His scoring frequency is now more than twice what it was before.

Chelsea are therefore benefiting from both sides of his game.

Despite playing at wing-back, Neto is averaging 5.3 touches inside the opposition penalty area per 90 minutes, up from 3.6 last season.

His completed dribbles have increased from 1.6 to 1.8 per 90 minutes, while his success rate has climbed from 43.5% to 52.6%. He is also creating more opportunities, with his average rising from 1.8 to 2.0 chances per 90, including an improvement in open-play chances from 1.5 to 1.8.

His defensive workload has grown considerably as well. In Premier League matches, his tackles have jumped from 0.7 to 2.0 per 90 minutes, while possessions regained have risen from 2.9 to 3.9.

Neto’s athletic qualities make this possible, and he has previously linked them partly to being raised in a family with a background in roller hockey. That physical capacity enables him to influence play at both ends of the field.

During Chelsea’s standout achievement under their current American owners, Neto closely tracked Achraf Hakimi as his team defeated Paris St-Germain 3-0 in the 2025 Club World Cup final.

Speaking about Neto’s role on Saturday, Alonso said that the player could be described as a winger, wing-back, attacker or defender because of his ability to perform several different duties.

Alonso added that Neto had played well, highlighting his competitive nature and the danger he poses to any full-back whenever he gets involved in the action.

Alonso uses an uneven tactical setup, with the left wing-back—usually Jorrel Hato or Pep Chavarria—not expected to contribute as much in attack. This allows Neto greater freedom to advance down the other side.

Alonso is also likely to value Neto’s reputation as one of the main jokers in the dressing room.

After Chelsea’s 6-3 Carabao Cup victory against Leeds, in which Neto found the net, former Wolves team-mate Conor Coady jokingly asked him when he had ever been concerned about allowing goals.

Neto humorously responded that he now plays as a wing-back.

Both men laughed before Neto explained that he now constantly thinks about tracking back to support his defenders.

Ten years ago, Moses successfully reinvented himself under Conte. Neto has not required such a dramatic transformation, but Alonso’s decision to move him from winger to right wing-back has brought even more out of the strengths he already possessed.