Neto scores twice as Alonso hails Chelsea winger's qualities

Pedro Neto scored twice against Everton to give Chelsea a winning edge at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with manager Xabi Alonso using the occasion to highlight what the Portuguese winger brings to the side.

Neto's brace took his season tally to four goals in seven appearances — already approaching half the ten he managed throughout the whole of 2025/26. Alonso has deployed him in a right-sided role that balances attacking threat with defensive contribution.

'You can call him whatever – winger, wing-back, attacker, defender – because he can do many things,' Alonso said. 'Pedro has great qualities. He's always a threat, has a great competitive level, he can run, do one-v-ones, can score goals.'

Alonso also praised the way Neto linked up with his teammates. 'When he's close to the action, he's a threat against any full-back. When he's on the last line or in between, he connects well with the players around, with Joao, with Cole, with Josh as well,' the Chelsea head coach added.

Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers have grabbed most of the headlines this season, but none of the three scored or assisted on Saturday. Alonso remained firmly satisfied with their work.

'For me they played a fantastic game,' he said. 'They worked really hard. They were helping the team, Morgan on the wing, Cole and Joao in the middle. We need that to win as a team, so many positives from the game.'

Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League table with 13 points from seven matches.