Pedro Neto says the Chelsea players can etch their name into club folklore by beating Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final tonight – and the winger is ready for the challenge that awaits.
The Blues take on Betis in Wroclaw aiming to become the first team to win all five of UEFA’s club competitions, past and present.
But that is not the only reason Neto wants to bring silverware back to the Bridge. He understands the foundations that victory would help lay.
‘Winning would mean a lot because it’s a European trophy and because Chelsea can be the first team to have all the European trophies,’ said the 25-year-old.
‘We can make history and you can be in the name of the club, so we have to fight for it.
‘We have the mentality of winning. We are Chelsea, and we have to go to every game to win it. Qualifying for the Champions League and winning a European competition allows us to build for next season.’
Victory would also provide the perfect finale to what has been an excellent start to life in blue for Neto. The Portuguese joined from Wolves last August and, like many of his team-mates, has developed his game under the guidance of Enzo Maresca to benefit the collective.
‘We have showed the quality we have in our team,’ noted Neto. ‘Of course, we had our bad moment, but every team had that. We are a new group with only one year of working together with a new coach and new players.
‘We know what we are capable of. We have to be focused on what we can control. We did a really good campaign. We have a beautiful final to play so I’m excited and looking forward to it.
‘We have to be grateful and finish in the best way.’