How Did Chelsea's Pedro Neto Thank Nico After His Opening Goal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pedro Neto scored the opening goal with a brilliant assist from Nicolas Jackson.
- Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory in their Club World Cup opener against LAFC.
- Neto is adapting well to his new team and playing in various positions.
- Confidence is key for Chelsea as they move forward in the tournament.
- Coach Enzo Maresca believes Neto will continue to improve.
Atlanta, June 17 (NationPress) Chelsea's Pedro Neto spoke about his impressive performance during the 2-0 FIFA Club World Cup victory over Los Angeles FC, highlighting the crucial pass from Nicolas Jackson that led to his opening goal.
Jackson delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Neto, who skillfully cut to his left and struck the ball past Hugo Lloris to secure the first goal. This set Chelsea on the path to a solid 2-0 win in their opening match of the tournament in Atlanta.
“I’m feeling great. Adapting to the team has been a journey for me. I’ve played in multiple positions, and as this is my first year with Chelsea, there’s still a lot to adjust to. I’m thrilled with my current form and aim to maintain this momentum,” Neto, who made the switch to Chelsea from Wolverhampton last year, expressed to FIFA.
Regarding his goal, Neto remarked, “I owe a big thank you to Nico for that pass. He jokingly pointed out that I didn’t acknowledge him during my celebration, so here’s my heartfelt thanks, Nico!”
Neto made his way to the USA for the Club World Cup following a strong finish to the 2024/25 season, which contributed to Chelsea's fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
“We must stay confident. We wrapped up the season on a high note. With the caliber of players in our squad, we need to carry that confidence into every match,” he added.
Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca believes Neto has the potential to reach even greater heights. “Pedro is an exceptional individual,” he stated. “He is highly professional and dedicated. He delivered an outstanding performance, and I anticipate he will continue to improve in terms of goals and assists. We are very pleased with Pedro,” Maresca concluded.