{"id":5994,"date":"2026-09-25T08:09:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T08:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5994"},"modified":"2026-09-25T08:09:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T08:09:47","slug":"how-pedro-neto-got-on-as-a-winger-during-portugals-1-0-win-over-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=5994","title":{"rendered":"How Pedro Neto got on as a winger during Portugal’s 1-0 win over Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea star Pedro Neto was in more familiar territory when he was named as a winger for Portugal\u2019s Nations League match against Wales on Thursday night.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso has used Neto<\/a> as a wing-back during his early weeks in charge of Chelsea, after Marco Palestra has not been fit enough to feature<\/a> so far this season.<\/p>\n

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It seems as if Neto has become obsessed with not conceding goals<\/a>, however so far the Blues have ended up being the leakiest defence in the Premier League. 12 goals have been scored against them in five matches so far.<\/p>\n

He had far less defensive responsibility for Portugal when he lined up on the right of attack, however it was former Blue Joao Felix who stole the headlines with the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n

Neto had an equally busy game though on the right. He had 66 touches of the ball, taking two shots at goal, although missing the target with both.<\/p>\n

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He created a chance for his teammate, with the attention all being on Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41 years of age, the one-time Todd Boehly target is pushing on with his international career under the new manager.<\/p>\n

Neto would complete two of his three dribbles, and still contributed to the defensive effort by winning five duels and completing three recoveries as they pushed for a second goal.<\/p>\n

Completing 90 minutes for that Portugal side was some achievement, given the fact Bruno Fernandes, Ronaldo and Nuno Mendes were among the players who were subbed off.<\/p>\n

Despite his impressive showing for Portugal, it looks unlikely that he will return to this role any time soon at Stamford Bridge, with Alonso unwilling to shift from his back three system.<\/p>\n

The front three of Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer are shoo-ins to start whenever they are fit, and Estevao Willian is waiting in the wings to make his first start of the season in the Premier League.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian will be hoping for his own positive international break when they get their fixtures underway against Australia and India.<\/p>\n

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