“He knows he has to leave” – Pedro Neto’s new shirt number surely proves it’s the end for £30m player at Chelsea
Chelsea’s Squad Changes Ahead of New Season: Pedro Neto Takes No. 19 Shirt
Chelsea’s newest first-team addition, Pedro Neto, has officially been handed his shirt number for the upcoming season. Neto, who previously wore the number 7 shirt at Wolverhampton Wanderers, sparked speculation over whether he would reclaim that number at Stamford Bridge. This raised concerns that current number 7, Raheem Sterling, might be displaced, which would have likely caused tension, especially with rumors suggesting Chelsea could sell Sterling this summer.
Pedro Neto Takes Armando Broja’s No. 19 Shirt
Instead of the number 7, Pedro Neto was given the number 19 shirt, a number that was initially expected to be assigned to Armando Broja. This has fueled further speculation about Broja’s future at the club. Broja has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, though finding a permanent suitor has been challenging.
Recently, Broja has been linked with Bournemouth, who are seeking a replacement after selling Dominic Solanke to Tottenham Hotspur.
Broja’s Limited Pre-Season Involvement
Armando Broja saw very limited action during Chelsea’s pre-season under head coach Enzo Maresca. Even when fellow striker Nicolas Jackson was sidelined with an injury, Maresca opted to give opportunities to Marc Guiu, a young prospect who had just joined from Barcelona. Chelsea fans are eager to see Guiu remain in the first-team squad rather than going out on loan, believing that he could contribute significantly in the upcoming season.
Chelsea’s Ongoing Striker Hunt
Despite their current options, Chelsea is far from finished in the striker market. The Blues have been tracking Napoli’s Victor Osimhen for over a year, and talk of a potential move to Stamford Bridge has intensified. There is even the possibility that Osimhen could arrive as part of a swap deal involving Romelu Lukaku. Napoli manager Antonio Conte is reportedly very keen to bring Lukaku in this summer, which could pave the way for Osimhen’s transfer to Chelsea.
With the transfer window still open, Chelsea’s striker situation remains fluid, and further moves are expected before the deadline.
