Pedro Neto has been named as one of the top three summer signings in the Premier League by former England striker Peter Crouch.
The ex-Liverpool and Tottenham forward highlighted Neto’s move to Chelsea as a standout piece of business in what was a more frugal summer transfer window across the English top flight.
Despite a significant decrease in overall spending – down 40% from the previous year due to clubs adhering to PSR regulations – Premier League teams still splurged around £630 million on new recruits for the 2024/25 campaign.
And, while the headlines were filled with speculation and last-minute deals, Chelsea’s acquisition of Neto from Wolves has stood out to many, including Crouch.
It was a summer of transformation at Stamford Bridge, marking the beginning of Enzo Maresca’s tenure as Chelsea manager.
High-profile arrivals such as Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jadon Sancho, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, and Felip Jorgensen joined the Blues, but the £51 million signing of Pedro Neto was a move that caught the eye.
Discussing his top three signings on TNT Sports, Crouch stated: “Pedro Neto from Wolves to Chelsea, I think he’s a top player.
“I think many in Europe would have signed him and Chelsea have got a top one there along with many others, but I think he’s a top signing.”
Neto has already begun to show glimpses of his potential in a Chelsea shirt. The Portuguese winger made his debut as a substitute during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on the opening weekend and impressed further when he came off the bench in Chelsea’s emphatic 6-2 victory over Wolves. In that match, he provided an assist for Joao Felix against his former club, showcasing his creativity and attacking prowess.
Maresca rewarded Neto’s early performances with his first full start against Crystal Palace on Sunday. The dynamic winger will be eager to cement his place in the starting lineup and continue his promising start when Chelsea return to action after the international break with a trip to Bournemouth.
With his ability to change games and provide an additional attacking threat, Pedro Neto’s impact could prove vital in Chelsea’s pursuit of success this season. Crouch’s praise suggests that many will be watching closely to see if Neto can live up to the billing as one of the Premier League’s top signings this summer.