Pedro Neto has said that he believes he needs more game time in order to get back to the levels he was showing a couple of years ago.
The Wolves winger’s career has stalled in recent times as a result of injury problems.
Neto was one of the most feared young players in the Premier League in the 2020/21 season.
When Raul Jimenez suffered his skull fracture, Neto, who was already playing well, really stepped up to the plate for Wolves.
He was standing out every game for Wanderers.
But then, the 23-year-old sustained a fractured knee cap, which ended up ruling him out of Euro 2020.
Neto was on the sidelines for months. He made his return to action in February 2022, and got to the end of the season unscathed.
But in October 2022, Neto suffered ankle ligament damage.
Pedro Neto now eyeing more game time for Wolves to become the player he once was
Last night, Neto was in action for the Portugal against Netherlands at the U21s Euros.
The star grabbed a great assist in a 1-1 draw, and actually played up top with Fabio Silva.
After the game, he seemingly moved to plant a seed for Julen Lopetegui, and spoke about the need to play more.
He told PortuGOAL: “Mentally I had to be strong, it was a difficult injury, the first and the second almost one after the other. I think I need more game time to improve and become what I was before.”
Last term, Neto managed just 19 appearances for Wolves.
10 of those came under Lopetegui, and just five of them were starts.
Pedro Neto getting back to his pre-injury levels would be huge for Wolves
It would be absolutely huge if Neto could rediscover the form that made him one of the most dangerous young players in the Premier League.
He was so good a couple of years ago.
But the injuries he picked up have really set him back.
But Wolves fans will hope he can still live up the hype he had about him previously.
He could potentially become world-class. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has constantly banged the drum about Neto’s ‘world-class’ ability.
Hopefully, he does get plenty of chances next season.