Chelsea forward Pedro Neto is one person who is taking a positive view of this year’s Club World Cup.
The Club World Cup has come in for a lot of criticism due to the extra games it has added to the calendar and the finances involved.
For example, had they beaten Flamengo on Friday, Chelsea would have earned £7.3m. The Blues still can with a win against Esperance Sportive de Tunis next Wednesday, showing the kind of money that is up for grabs at the tournament.
Neto was recently asked about playing at the Club World Cup and gave an answer that FIFA president Gianni Infantino would have loved.
Neto is thriving at the Club World Cup, scoring in both of Chelsea‘s first two games, and is enjoying being at the tournament.
When asked if he would prefer to be playing in America rather than being on the beach somewhere, Neto told ESPN and other outlets: “100 percent sure. We have to be thankful. We are here playing this tournament.
“There would be a lot of players that would love to be in my place and in the other place. We have to enjoy it.”
While Neto opened the scoring in Chelsea’s last outing against Flamengo, Enzo Maresca‘s side went on to lose the game 3-1.
They were not helped by Nicolas Jackson, who was sent off just four minutes after being brought onto the pitch.
It is thought that Chelsea no longer view Jackson as untouchable, so the striker could be sold this summer.
Despite losing against Flamengo, the Blues can still qualify for the next round of the Club World Cup with victory over Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
Mario Melchiot’s message to Pedro Neto
Neto is Chelsea’s top scorer at the Club World Cup after his two goals against Flamengo and Los Angeles FC, and former Blue Mario Melchiot hopes he continues to make a difference in attack.
When Melchiot spoke about Neto during the week, he said: “This season, I feel like I was also asking for the wingers to chip in and score goals. OK, Neto did it today, so you want to see more of that. The more you see the wingers contribute, including the striker, it will help [Cole] Palmer as well with his creativity.
In the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, the Portuguese scored four goals in 35 appearances. If Chelsea are to finish higher in the table next year, then Maresca will need more from him and the rest of the team’s attackers.
