Chelsea lost to Brighton 3-0 on Friday night, continuing their dismal Premier League play. Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh’s goals were sufficient for Fabian Hurzeler’s team to win all three points and defeat the Blues for the second time in a row after eliminating them from the FA Cup in their previous encounter.
The Premier League season got off to a good start for Enzo Maresca’s team, as the Italian’s hiring appeared to restore stability to Stamford Bridge, which had been sorely missing since the Todd Boehly/Clearlake takeover. As Man City struggled, there were even rumors that the Londoners had a remote chance of winning the Premier League. They have only won two of their last nine league games, though, and might fall out of the top four as a result of the loss to the Seagulls.
While a number of players disappointed on the evening, two in particular have drawn attention due to their persistently poor play.
Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho’s Performances Slammed By Chelsea Fans
The wingers failed to make an impression
After his lackluster performance in the FA Cup, Maresca decided to stick with three of his starting four for the league match and gave Pedro Neto a chance on the left wing in place of Jadon Sancho. However, Noni Madueke’s injury forced the Englishman to enter the game early, and just six days ago, both players had the opportunity to make up for their lackluster performances.
Sancho did little to imply he was enjoying the freedom he should have had after leaving Manchester United, and the former Wolves player’s lackluster performance quickly put an end to those expectations.
The wingers combined for just two goal attempts (both from Neto), two crucial passes, and one significant opportunity. Additionally, they were extremely inefficient with the ball at their feet, winning only 4/18 duels and surrendering possession 24 times overall while completing 3/11 dribbles.
Social media was quickly used by fans to express their annoyance at the £260,000-per-week pair’s horror show on the South Coast.
In shock, one fan said, “Pedro Neto, Sancho, I’ve got no words,” while another added, “Neto, Sancho, and Nkunku are out here moving like League One players.”
A third said, “Neto and Sancho both been really poor all season too,” and a fourth said, “Sancho, Neto, Madueke are terrible winger options,” slamming Maresca’s options out wide.
The quality of Mitoma’s first goal, which Jamie Carragher called “Messi-like” on commentary, just made this worse. Kaoru Mitoma had more goals for Brighton in the Premier League than Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, Nkunku, Cole Palmer, and Pedro Neto combined this season in 2025, according to one fan’s comment following the game’s conclusion: “A flop.”
Neto, Sancho, and Nkunku out here moving like league one players.
— Senyó (@Twin_Senyo) February 14, 2025
pedro neto,sancho i’ve no words
— Alex Ænder (@shadeskidxx) February 14, 2025
What does Nkunku do? Been so poor whenever I’ve watched him this season, is it solely a positional thing?? 🤷♂️
— Seb Martin (@SebOnFootball) February 14, 2025
