When it comes to clubs that have truly reinvented themselves, Chelsea under Enzo Maresca has been one of the standout stories in English football. The Italian coach inherited a side that looked like a jigsaw puzzle spilt across the floor — an inflated squad, confused roles, and no real direction.

But slowly and surely, Maresca has started to piece it together.

The UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles that followed were proof that something was beginning to click. The criticism didn’t go away overnight, but the mood around Stamford Bridge shifted. And at the heart of that quiet revival beats a new Portuguese rhythm — Pedro Neto.

A Portuguese Pulse in Blue

When Neto swapped Wolverhampton for Chelsea in August 2024, he walked into a dressing room full of uncertainty. Yet, within months, he became one of Maresca’s key players — energetic, fearless, and always demanding the ball.

At 25, he fits perfectly into Chelsea’s long-term vision: a young core capable of growing together and carrying the club forward. His seven-year deal signalled that this was not another short-term experiment. And his seamless impact paved the way for similar success stories, like that of Joao Pedro, who has quickly become a force across the Premier League.

For Neto, though, this rise has never felt like pressure. His football, much like his words, is grounded in calm confidence.

“I don’t see it as pressure,” Neto told India Today in an interaction facilitated by JioStar. “The talent we have in the team, including the new arrivals like William Estevo and Joao Pedro, definitely helps the team progress and grow. It’s a collective boost rather than a source of pressure. Personally, I believe each player must challenge themselves rather than focus on others coming into the squad.”

“I strive to compete against myself, always pushing to improve day by day. If I perform well today, my goal is to work even harder tomorrow to get better. This mindset reflects the current mentality within our team,” he added.

Maresca’s Measured Revolution

When Todd Boehly’s ownership era began, Chelsea felt like a science experiment gone wrong. Too many new faces, too little structure, and too much noise. But Enzo Maresca has managed to steady the ship with a calm, methodical touch.

The former Leicester City boss has built a system grounded in possession, pressing, and purpose — an identity Chelsea fans had long been waiting to see. And though the results haven’t always been smooth, the progress is undeniable.

Last season’s double triumph — the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, capped by a stunning 3-0 win over PSG in the final — felt like the start of something tangible. It was football with identity, and Stamford Bridge had begun to believe again.

But as football tends to remind, the journey back to the top is never linear. A rough patch this season, including defeats to Brighton, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, once again tested Chelsea’s mentality.

For Neto, though, setbacks don’t shake belief — they sharpen it.

“The mood in the dressing room is one of frustration and determination,” he said. “We want to win, and our mentality is always focused on improvement with every game. While the results against Bayern Munich and Manchester United were disappointing, the team showed a strong reaction, particularly in the second half of the recent Carabao Cup match (2-1 win vs Lincoln City). We understand that these outcomes do not reflect the spirit of our team, as winning is always our goal.”

Chelsea’s next big test comes against none other than Liverpool in the Premier League — a clash that could swing their momentum back upward after two difficult outings. The timing, perhaps, could not be better. The Reds themselves are wobbling, coming off back-to-back defeats to Crystal Palace in the league and Galatasaray in the Champions League. For Maresca’s side, it is an opportunity not just to bounce back, but to make a statement.

“As demonstrated last year, we responded strongly to the challenges and doubts around us. We wholeheartedly embraced the manager Maresca’s vision, while he also valued our input, fostering a strong connection within the squad. The team performed excellently, and this year, we aim to elevate our mentality even further. On the pitch, our focus has always been on winning. We are not satisfied with draws, even in big games, which reflects our competitive spirit. We have fully committed to the manager’s ideas, and I am hopeful that we will achieve even greater success this season.”

“Right now, our focus is fully on the upcoming match, and we are committed to doing everything possible to secure victory,” he added.

Carrying a Memory: The Loss of Diogo Jota

Away from club football, Neto has also had to deal with personal heartbreak. The loss of Diogo Jota, his former Wolves and Portugal teammate, has left a void that words can barely describe.

The two shared a close bond both on and off the pitch, often seen pushing each other in training and sharing quiet moments of laughter in the Wolves camp. To Neto, Jota wasn’t just a teammate — he was a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration.

“It is an incredibly difficult situation,” Neto reflected. “Since joining Wolves, the support from the Portuguese players, including Diogo Jota, has been instrumental in my development. Diogo was more than just a teammate; he was a good friend and someone from whom I learned a great deal, both at the club and with the national team.”

“The loss is hard to put into words, but he will always remain with us in spirit. Whenever we step onto the field, the Portuguese players and I will carry his memory with us, drawing strength from him as we move forward this season.”

Faith Restored, Eyes Forward

Chelsea’s rebuild under Enzo Maresca is still very much a work in progress, but the tone around Stamford Bridge has changed. There’s a sense of unity again, a belief that the club is heading somewhere meaningful.

Chelsea’s next test will be against none other than Liverpool in the Premier League. The fixture comes at a time when both teams are trying to rediscover rhythm, with Chelsea looking to bounce back from two disappointing results and Liverpool still reeling from losses to Crystal Palace in the league and Galatasaray in the Champions League.

For Maresca’s side, this could be the perfect chance to steady their campaign and show that their rebuild is not just about promise, but progression.

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