When Chelsea lined up for a free kick against Nottingham Forest on October 18, few fans inside the City Ground expected anyone but captain Reece James to take it. James is known for his precision and has already become renowned as one of Europe’s most feared free-kick takers. However, to everyone’s surprise, it was Pedro Neto who took aim and curled it low into the bottom corner to double the Blues’ lead.
The moment caught fans off guard, and there were questions about whether it was a spontaneous decision or a rehearsed tactical move. Turns out, the clever routine was no accident.
Neto revealed afterward that the strike was something Chelsea had been “working on before the Liverpool game,” adding a new twist to their attacking play.
These set-piece surprises are part of the ongoing tactical changes by manager Enzo Maresca, who knows the importance of variation in dead-ball situations. It’s this kind of innovation that is also seen in football-related strategic disciplines like betting and analysis. Here, studying a guide for offshore betting can offer insights into how teams may make choices in free-kick situations, giving bettors a better chance to choose the right odds. These sportsbooks provide historical statistics to provide an overall picture of the performance of the top teams and players, so bettors from anywhere in the world can make informed choices.
A Masterclass In Deception
The plan was a simple one, according to Neto. James would shape up to take the shot, forcing Forest’s goalkeeper and defensive wall to react to him, before rolling the ball, which allowed Neto to strike with his left foot.
“Reece is an unbelievable free-kick taker and to be honest, at Chelsea and even at Wolves, I did not take many free-kicks, but I asked Reece if he wanted me to take it and he said, ‘Let me see,’” Neto said after the game. “We spoke and he said he wanted to roll the ball to me, and we are really happy with the end result.”
Although it appeared to be a spur-of-the-moment switch, it was actually a deliberate ruse practiced at Cobham. “It wasn’t that we saw a gap,” said Neto. “It was something we worked on before the last game as well. Normally, when you roll the ball, the wall has the tendency to turn their back, and the goalkeeper has to make a step to the side to see the ball.”
The plan worked perfectly. Neto’s strike caught the wall and the keeper off balance, and slid nearly into the corner to make it 2-0. The Blues went on to win 3-0, with James volleying the third goal from a half-cleared corner.
James’ Tactical Moves
Although Neto featured in the headlines, James’ contribution went beyond his assist and finish. The Chelsea captain was instrumental in controlling the tempo and build-up play. His tactical intelligence was important in executing the free-kick move that caught Forest off guard.
James’ average positioning resulted in him regularly drifting into midfield, creating overloads in central areas. He ranked third for most completed passes (44) and second for passes in the final third (11), trailing Neto.
The City Ground has been a special venue for James in the past. It was where he provided a match-winning assist in 2024 to secure European qualification, and a year later, where he captained Chelsea to Champions League football with another decisive display. Against the latest Nottingham Forest match, he again proved his excellence, which earned him the club’s Player of the Match award.
Neto’s Increasing Influence
Neto returned from a minor injury when playing for Portugal, but showed that he deserved to be in the starting lineup. He created four chances and was rated Chelsea’s top performer by WhoScored with an impressive 8.9/10.
Neto was directly involved in all three goals. He provided the cross for Josh Acheampong’s opener, scored the second himself, and delivered the corner that resulted in James’ volley.
He is only 25, but he has amassed over 200 senior appearances and 21 caps for Portugal. He is quickly becoming a leader in the youthful Chelsea team. “I think leadership is something that’s in my personality,” he explained. “When things are tough, I want to step up and help my teammates.”
