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Chelsea have rewarded Pedro Neto’s strong start to the season and commitment to the club by handing the winger a new contract. The Portugal international had summer interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester City, but indicated a desire to stay and play for Xabi Alonso. He has signed a five-year deal with the option of an extra year and is to receive a pay rise.
Alonso has used Neto as an attacking wingback and the 26-year-old has scored twice in five appearances. Neto, who has registered 40 goal involvements since joining from Wolves for £54m in 2024, follows other leading players at Chelsea in signing new deals. João Pedro, Reece James and Moisés Caicedo have received improved terms this year, and Cole Palmer signed a new deal in 2024 and committed his future to the club in an interview with the Guardian last season.
Chelsea’s owners have a strategy of giving lengthy incentivised contracts. However, the club have demonstrated that being on those multi-year deals will not stop players from receiving pay increases as reward for good performances. Further contract renewals are expected to be announced soon.
Neto’s determination to stay contrasted with the stance of Enzo Fernández, who was sold to City for £125m during the closing hours of the transfer window.
He was not handed a new contract after initial discussions were held. The Argentina midfielder raised questions over his future in March, criticising January’s departure of Enzo Maresca as head coach and sparking talk of a move to Real Madrid by expressing a desire to live in the Spanish capital. Chelsea responded by banning Fernández for two games.
Madrid downplayed their interest in Fernández but the 25-year-old continued to push for a new challenge. City, who appointed Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s replacement, emerged as Fernández’s strongest suitors. Chelsea were prepared to hold on to him if their valuation were not met but concluded that selling was the right long-term move. There was disappointment that one of the team’s senior players did not show better leadership when Chelsea were struggling. They missed out on European qualification after finishing 10th.
Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior in April and announced Alonso’s appointment in mid-May. They were willing to reintegrate Fernández but he is understood to have submitted a written transfer request. It is understood he also informed Chelsea he had been in contact with a former coach, believed to be Maresca, at the end of last season and during the transfer window.
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The Stamford Bridge hierarchy concluded that Fernández’s relationship with his teammates was broken after his public comments. Fernández’s representatives have been approached for comment.
Sources have dismissed the idea that Chelsea were bullied into selling Fernández. Neto’s renewal is viewed as the latest evidence that key players have bought into the project and will be rewarded.
