The evidence that proves it’s time for Chelsea fans to get off the Pedro Neto backlash bandwagon – the side of his game that makes him crucial, how he won over Liam Rosenior and the truth about his relationship with Cole Palmer

Of all the Chelsea players seeking revenge on Tuesday for their embarrassment at Elland Road, Pedro Neto should be chief among them, despite scoring their only goal as a substitute in that 3-1 loss.

The next morning, Leeds borrowed Neto to brag on social media. They posted a picture of him performing his fingers in ears celebration and wrote: ‘Us to all the Chelsea fans in the comments.’

Neto may not have seen this. He would be wise to avoid logging on to his social media, after all, unless the 25-year-old Portuguese is a sucker for doomscrolling. Leeds’ dig in early December was kind compared to the friendly fire coming his way of late.

Chelsea supporters are not exactly in love with Neto, particularly online. It hardly helps his cause that his regularity on the right wing is one reason why the hugely popular Estevao Willian is not always starting.

Neto can be selfish on occasion. Attackers often are. They see a chance for themselves and they take it for themselves. Some of the criticism is justified when Neto plays as if he wearing blinkers, ignoring the runs of others, in his own world.

Yet those hopping on the backlash bandwagon by butchering the winger after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Wolves may wish to watch back the build-up to Chelsea’s goals.

One of the primary gripes seems to be that Neto (left) is keeping the hugely popular Estevao Willian (right) out of the starting lineup

It was Neto’s clever dummy, and then his strength and speed and cross, which preceded Joao Pedro winning the first penalty. He played a minor role in the second penalty, simply playing the ball back to Malo Gusto before his pass for Joao Pedro to chase.

But he was then key to the build-up to the visitors’ third goal as he held up the ball before sending it wide to Enzo Fernandez, who played in Marc Cucurella, who cut back for Cole Palmer to make it 3-0.

One account with 400,000 followers even hopped on the hate trend by highlighting how he did not run to celebrate Palmer’s hat-trick goal with the England man. A classic case of clickbait, they failed to mention the reason. Neto chose to first embrace the defenders who had initiated the back-to-front team goal before joining the huddled group, as he did after Palmer’s first two goals.

It is fine to criticise when fair. He missed a good chance to score what would have been a rare headed goal after being set up nicely by Fernandez. He did not play in Palmer at another opportunity, though he was wrestling with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno at the time. In those moments, he disappointed, but it would be unfair to suggest he did not have a crumb of influence back at his old stomping ground at Molineux.

One accusation from a few fans is that Neto does not like passing to Palmer, and vice versa. Of Neto’s 585 passes this season, 43 have been to Palmer, making him the fifth-highest for any of his team-mates. Of Palmer’s 327 passes, 39 have been to Neto, the most of any of his fellow players. Injuries have prevented them from playing together as much as they might have liked this season.

With Geovany Quenda arriving from Sporting CP this summer, it is hard not to wonder where that will leave Neto, who was signed for £54million from Wolves in 2024 and whose eight goal involvements this season are behind only Joao Pedro’s 13 and Fernandez’s 10.

Chelsea will have Quenda, Estevao and Neto as right-wing options. Including one-year clauses, Quenda, 18, will be contracted to 2034, Estevao, 18, to 2033, Neto, 25, to 2031. We could also throw in Palmer, who is 23 and contracted to 2033. All are capable of playing in other positions, Neto included as he has been used on the left and also as a false nine, as was the case in the Champions League win over Barcelona.

Chelsea could choose to entertain offers for Neto in the next window, or they may decide it is useful having his experience, rather than leaving Quenda and Estevao to predominantly take care of their right wing. Estevao will have a year’s experience in England by then.

Fans think they’ve spotted a rift between Cole Palmer and Neto on the pitch – but it’s simply not true

Neto ranks third for goal contributions by Chelsea players this season, behind only Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez

Liam Rosenior likes Neto, too. The Portuguese has started in every Premier League game except one since his new manager’s arrival

However, there are other elements which Chelsea will need to consider. Enzo Maresca admired Neto as a grafter. He told us as much while Blues boss. How you behave off the ball was as important to him as on the ball.

‘Sacrifice’ was the main word used by Maresca, who not only judged his attackers on goals and assists but on their willingness to fulfil defensive duties.

Liam Rosenior likes Neto, too. The Portuguese has started in every Premier League game since his new manager’s arrival except one – versus West Ham at home when he was introduced after 26 minutes due to Jamie Gittens’ hamstring injury, which may require creative solutions from Rosenior on the left wing.

If selected to start against Leeds on Tuesday, Neto may be extra motivated to answer what has been seen on social media. Not only from his opponents’ official account, but everyone else’s, too.