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Chelsea newcomer Pedro Neto is ready to help his team get back to where he believes they “belong”, namely “at the top”.
The striker joined the Blues from Wolves on a seven-year deal costing £54 million, but that doesn’t bother the Portuguese international.
“I always expect a lot from myself,” he told the club’s website. “The expectations here are high, so I’m looking forward to showing people why I’m here and that I deserve to be at the highest level.”
“I want to do my best, help the team achieve its goals and take Chelsea where it belongs: at the top,”
Neto is one of 10 new signings at Chelsea since new head coach Enzo Maresca replaced Mauricio Pocchetino in July, taking summer spending to around £185 million.
So far, midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga and Omari Kellyman, goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defenders Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino and Caleb Wiley, winger Estevao Willian and striker Marc Guiu have joined.
There are likely to be further arrivals and departures before the transfer window closes at the end of the month; Chelsea currently has 43 regular players.
Neto’s arrival also gives the team more flexibility on the attacking line and he admits he would like to play anywhere.
“I like playing in the three positions up front,” explained Neto. “At Wolves I played more on the outside, but inside is also good for me, I have no preference.”
“I hope that I bring work, that I bring confidence to the team, that I bring wins, goals and assists and that I do everything I can to make everyone here happy.”
Chelsea starts its Premier League season on Sunday with a home game against Manchester City.
This came just two weeks after they suffered a 4-2 defeat to the league champions in the USA, in which Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick.
