On August 11th, Pedro Neto left Wolverhampton Wanderers and completed a permanent move to Chelsea.
The forward has been a regular for the Blues, scoring three goals and registering three assists from 15 games in all competitions. Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has called him up for November’s international break.
On Monday, the Chelsea player spoke to local reporters and his comments are relayed by A Bola.
The 24-year-old spent five years at Wolves before arriving at Chelsea. He struggled with multiple injuries during his time at Molineux but is enjoying regular minutes in London.
Neto scored the equaliser in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal last weekend. The player was asked if he’s in the ‘best phase’ of his career. When responding to that, he explained why he hasn’t yet reached his best form for the west London club.
“No, I think I’ve had other very good phases. As I’ve said before and I’ve said in a few interviews, I came here without doing pre-season and they asked me that question, they asked me how I felt,” he said.
“I don’t think I’m in my best shape yet, I’m working to get there, and I work every day to get in shape to be the best player I can be. That’s what I’ll continue to do, and I hope to be even better.”
Neto has been a regular for Portugal this year. The former Braga man was asked how he was able to turn his career around in a ‘few months’ as he’s now a ‘permanent’ member under Martínez.
“I think the way I’ve worked every day has always been the same. As I said, I work every day to be the best footballer I can be, and I think it’s up to the coach whether he brings me in or not,” Neto explained.
“I work every day to improve and then the decisions are up to whoever has to make them. Confidence levels are always the same – if I don’t believe in myself, who will? I go to work every day with the confidence that I’m the best and that I can do better every day.”
Neto’s Chelsea teammate, João Félix, joins him in the national team squad this month.
Enzo Maresca has used Félix mainly in the UEFA Conference League and the EFL Cup, but not in the Premier League. Neto was asked about his compatriot’s ‘state of mind’.
“[laughs] You have to ask him about his state of mind… I’m with him every day and he’s getting better and better, I was very happy to be at the same club as him, he’s a great player,” he added.
“You have to ask him, but I think he’s happy especially now that he’s coming to represent his country. I think he’s just focused on that right now.”
