Liverpool great Jamie Carragher has named Pedro Neto as the Chelsea player he wished the Reds had signed. The Portugal international joined the Blues this summer for a reported £54 million from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Neto was widely linked with the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United following an impressive last season for Wolves. However, it was Chelsea who won the race to sign the 24-year-old as he became their ninth signing of the summer.
On Monday Night Football, Jamie Carragher blasted the west London giants for their transfer policy of signing so many players. However, he admitted that he would have liked Liverpool to sign Pedro Neto.
Carragher insisted that the new Chelsea signing has what it takes to play for any of the top teams in the world. He said that he would love to see Neto excel at Stamford Bridge and hoped that he could stay fit. The former England defender said, as quoted by The Daily Mail:
"The reason I’ve chosen him is because I think, but for injuries, I think this is a player that could play for the best teams in the world – I really do believe that. He’s a player I have always watched for Wolves in the last three or four years, who I’ve always thought, ‘I’d love Liverpool to sign him."
Carragher added:
"I just look at the pace and the quality on the ball, he scores goals, and I just hope he stays fit. My only worry for Chelsea is that he is best on the right, cutting in on that left foot - probably where Cole Palmer likes to play as well."
The former Liverpool defender concluded:
"I think if Chelsea could keep him fit, I think he’s a special talent and he’s a player that I love to watch, and I actually get down a little bit when I hear he’s injured, even though Wolves are not my team. But I'd love to see him stay fit as I think he's one of the top players in the Premier League."
Neto established himself as a key player for Wolves having joined the Midlands club in 2019 from Lazio. He scored 14 goals and provided 24 assists in 135 appearances for the Molineux-based club.
The fleet-footed winger caught the eye through his exploits last season as he scored thrice and produced 11 assists in 24 appearances across competitions. However, he has been fairly susceptible to injuries having missed a total of 112 games during his five-year stint at Wolves.
Chelsea keen on a move for Liverpool star - Reports
Chelsea are reportedly interested in a move for Liverpool defender Joe Gomez who has been linked with an exit from Anfield. The England international is currently the longest-serving player at the Merseyside club and has been a great servant to the Reds.
Gomez has been strongly linked with an exit from Liverpool throughout the summer. However, it looks more likely that he will depart Anfield after he was left out of the Reds' Premier League opener against Ipswich Town.
As claimed by The Times via TBR Football, Chelsea are monitoring the situation of the 27-year-old. However, they could reportedly face strong competition from Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Fulham.
Gomez has made 224 appearances for the Reds over the years having contributed with nine assists. The Englishman is extremely versatile and former manager Jurgen Klopp used him in multiple positions during his tenure at Anfield.