Xabi Alonso has insisted Pedro Neto is just as important as any of Chelsea’s deadly front three after the wing-back scored twice in a 2-0 win at Everton.
The Blues have relied on Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and £117million summer signing Morgan Rogers for goals this season, but none of them scored or assisted in Saturday’s match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Instead, it was right wing-back Neto who struck twice in the second half to secure the victory, which also brought Chelsea their first Premier League clean sheet in nine months to the day since a 2-0 win over Brentford that was Liam Rosenior’s first league match in charge.
Neto’s remodelled role
Neto previously played as a winger but has been remodelled as a wing-back in the three-at-the-back formation Alonso has used since arriving as manager in July.
“He is as important as the rest,” said Alonso, when asked how important Neto is compared with Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro.
“Pedro [Neto] has great qualities. He is always a threat. He has a great competitive level. He can run, can go one-v-one, can score goals.
“[I am] really happy for him. And Morgan, Joao and Cole, even though they didn't score, they played a great game and I’m really happy with that.”
Win lifts Chelsea to fourth
Alonso explained the importance of the win at Everton, a result that took Chelsea up to fourth in the table.
“We are very happy with the result, with the performance. We needed one of these wins away where we have played very professionally and very seriously. We were solid and it was a very good game.
“We looked in control of the game. There were moments, for sure, when we had to defend. Especially first half. But overall the team looked mature. They were knowing what to do in each moment, and that happened in the second half. After that, we were good with the ball, created chances, and conceded not much.”
Alonso, 44, added: “To win away is always tough. And we got a clean sheet. We knew it was a matter of time and finally we got it. We need to keep working. It’s just one game. We need to get many more clean sheets.”
