Portugal international winger Pedro Neto was the key man as Chelsea ran out 3-0 winners at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
After a goalless first half, Neto was the instigator in Chelsea making a flying start to the second half. First, the ex-Braga man burst down the left and crossed for Josh Acheampong to head home(49’) before Neto then added to the advantage (52’) with a free-kick from twenty yards. Captain Reece James rounded off the scoring with a finish inside the box following a corner.
Neto has established himself as a firm favourite under Blues manager Enzo Maresca, starting every match in the Premier League and the Champions League so far this season. After the match, the Seleção man was asked by English football legend Glenn Hoddle which side of the field he prefers, having started on the right wing but ventured to the left side in order to create the first goal.
“I feel comfortable to play both sides. If you ask me if I have a favourite side I will not lie: I will say the right side is where I prefer to play the most. But as I say I like to play both sides to help the team. I already played as a striker. If I have to play right-back, left-back….
"I thought in the beginning of the game we started well, but after that it was a little bit difficult for us. As always, I like to step up in these kinds of moments. I always try to help the team as much as I can. In the second half, they couldn’t come with the same energy.
"After the international break the last month, we didn't start well. We didn't win the three games that we had. It was really important to start this way, so we’re really happy with that. We needed to change some things and be more aggressive and in the second half we kept more of the ball score three goals, and we are really happy."
On his free-kick, Neto added: “Me and Reese [James] spoke about that. I asked if I should go the side of the keeper and he said no, go the other side. We were watching clips and normally when you roll the ball from the free kick then he (Sels) gives a step to the right to try and see the ball or to get some space. Reece told me to put it the side I did because it will go in.”
The victory for Chelsea led to the immediate firing of Nottingham Forest manager Ange Postecoglu, who lasted just 39 days in the job after replacing Nuno Espírito Santo last month.
Each year, countless Portuguese players depart their homeland in search of developing a career abroad. Nuno Moreira was one of them in February when he left Casa Pia for an adventure in Brazilian football with Vasco Da Gama, in a move which barely registered on the international market.
Yet the winger is proving one of the more captivating stories to follow as he continues to shine in Rio de Janeiro, where his versatility and productivity are contributing to an impressive debut season in South America.
Moreira costa Vasco a fee of €3.5m in February, which was a modest outlay given his numbers. From 23 appearances in all competitions, Moreira had scored 9 goals and racked up 5 assists for Os Gansos. Ten of those goal involvements came in the Portuguese top flight, where his five goals and five assists helped set Casa Pia on their way to a 9th place finish.
The following month, Moreira made his Brasileirão debut for Vasco against Santos, introducing himself in dream fashion with a goal in a 2-1 victory. Since then, the 26-year-old has been a regular under Vasco’s former Brazilian national team coach Fernando Diniz, who has used the Portuguese in a multitude of positions. In terms of numbers, Moreira has featured in 43 games in all competitions, scoring 8 goals and producing 8 assists for teammates.
Moreira’s Brasileirão figures are impressive too, given the competition is known for being a lower-scoring league than its European counterparts. Moreira is the only wide player, along with Vasco teammate Rayan, to have 10 goal involvements in the 2025 campaign, with five goals and five assists.
Vasco is not a club where such figures have been easy to achieve. Moreira is only the fourth player to notch five goals and five assists in a league campaign since 2012. The previous three players include club legends Juninho Pernambucano and Nenê, as well as Argentine striker Maxi Lopez.
Moreira has been similarly astute off the field, telling reporters that new teammate, Brazil international Phillippe Coutinho, was his idol growing up. With the help of other stars such as Rayan, Vasco have been one of the more free-scoring teams in the division, but a leaky defence has meant a modest mid-table position, which currently sees them 11th and in-line for a Copa Sudamericana place.
Moreira’s best game came against Sport in September, when he scored one goal and created another in a 3-2 victory. His most recent strike was in Vasco’s last match on Sunday, nodding in the opener in a 4-3 win over Vitoria. With eleven matches left to play in the Campeonato Brasileiro, there is time yet for Moreira to add to what has been a stellar introduction to South American football.
🇵🇹 Nuno Moreira atacou a área e ficou observando a trajetória da bola para conseguir cabecear.
Acertou um ótimo cabeceio com o cruzamento de manual realizado por Paulo Henrique.
Perhaps as impressive as his attacking prowess has been Moreira's adaptability within the systems used by Diniz, who is renowned for an attacking approach. With two thirds of the league campaign played, Moreira has already featured as a right winger, left winger, attacking central midfielder, defensive midfielder and even right-back. “When I moved Nuno into the deeper midfield position, he was even better," Diniz told journalists in September.
"Nuno is a very intelligent player, one of the most intelligent in the squad,” Diniz said late last month. “He's very involved and has been very decisive with me. He has scored a good number of goals for his position. He's very important tactically. We only ask him once, and he understands perfectly what he needs to do. Sometimes he drops down to help in the five-man line, closes up the middle with the midfielders, presses high with the forwards.
“He's a technical player, and his fitness will improve. He's a player accustomed to a less physically demanding schedule, and he already has a tendency to feel it a bit more. I truly believe that with training and recovery, he will improve. In fact, I think he's already improved in this regard.”
Upon hearing such praise, one cannot help but be reminded of the way Pep Guardiola revers Bernardo Silva. European scouts keen for a technically and tactically reliable Portuguese winger may currently regret overlooking Casa Pia’s Moreira less than a year ago.
The Gunners have had a wide breadth of international experience within their ranks over the years, but surprisingly few from Portugal. As of October 2025, only six Portuguese footballers have made a competitive appearance for Arsenal: Luís Boa Morte, Amaury Bischoff, Rui Fonte, Cédric Soares, Nuno Tavares, and Fábio Vieira - here’s an insight into each individual.
Luís Boa Morte in action for Arsenal in 1999 in the FA Charity Shield against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Allsport)
Luís Boa Morte - Pioneer and after Arsenal
Luís Boa Morte was the first Portuguese player to join Arsenal, signing from Sporting CP in 1997. The striker featured frequently in the 1997/98 season, helping Arsenal win the Premier League and FA Cup double, registering four goals and two assists throughout 39 appearances during his stint in North London. After leaving Arsenal in 1999, he continued his career in the Premier League with the likes of Southampton, Fulham and West Ham, and later transitioned into coaching when he retired in 2013.
By 2024, Boa Morte had taken up the role of manager of Guinea-Bissau, but his results were mixed, and he was relieved of his duties in mid-2025 after failing to qualify for major tournaments. He is now assistant manager of Samsunspor in the Turkish Süper Lig.
Amaury Bischoff - The forgotten gamble
If Boa Morte was a pioneer, Amaury Bischoff was a gamble that never paid off. Signed in 2008 after leaving Werder Bremen, Bischoff arrived as a relatively unknown player. Wenger himself admitted at the time that the signing was a “gamble” due to the midfielder’s injury record, and unfortunately, those concerns proved justified.
Bischoff made only a single Premier League appearance for Arsenal, coming on as a substitute against Portsmouth in May 2009. He also featured in the FA Cup and EFL Cup a further three times combined, but injuries and inconsistency led to his release after just one season.
For many Arsenal supporters, Bischoff remains one of the most obscure names ever to wear the shirt - an example of Wenger’s occasional habit of taking risks on little-known players that didn’t quite work out.
Rui Fonte - The young forward who made one competitive appearance
Rui Pedro Fonte, brother of long-time Premier League and Portugal centre-back José Fonte, joined Arsenal’s youth setup from Sporting CP at age 16. Though he was part of Arsenal’s reserves and youth sides for some time, his only competitive first-team appearance came in November 2008, as a substitute in a League Cup match against Wigan Athletic - the a game when fellow Portuguese Amaury Bischoff played. Arsenal did not field him in the Premier League and eventually decided not to extend his contract, so he returned to Sporting.
Afterward, Fonte’s professional journey included loans (Crystal Palace, Vitória de Setúbal, Espanyol), permanent transfers (Espanyol, Benfica, Braga), a stint at Fulham, and, more recently, Portuguese clubs before his retirement in June 2025. While he had a longer career than many Gunners who never quite made the breakthrough, for Arsenal, his role remains insignificant: one competitive appearance, and then he moved on.
Cédric Soares - A reliable backup
Fast forward to January 2020, and Arsenal added its most experienced Portuguese player to date: Cédric Soares. Unlike his predecessors, Cédric was already an established international and had even won Euro 2016 with Portugal.
Arriving on loan from Southampton before signing permanently, the right-back was never intended to be a marquee signing but rather a dependable squad option. Across his time at the Emirates, he has filled in during injury crises, offered professionalism, and provided depth in a position that often lacked stability.
While never first-choice when everyone was fit, Cédric brought valuable experience to a young squad during Mikel Arteta’s early years in charge. His contribution in 64 first-team games may not be headline-grabbing, but his role as a steady backup helped keep Arsenal competitive in turbulent times.
Nuno Tavares - A raw talent
In 2021, Arsenal turned once again to Portugal, this time recruiting Nuno Tavares from Benfica. Seen as a project signing with raw athletic ability, Tavares showed glimpses of potential during his debut season. His forward surges and energy added a new dimension to the left flank, particularly when Kieran Tierney was injured.
However, his defensive lapses and erratic decision-making often overshadowed his attacking promise. Tavares became something of a cult figure among fans - capable of thrilling runs one week and costly mistakes the next.
After a mixed spell in North London, he was sent on loan to Marseille, where he impressed with his attacking output, and then had spells with Nottingham Forest and Lazio. In June 2025, Lazio activated the buy clause in his loan from Arsenal, making his move permanent until 2028. Arsenal received a fee (reported around €8-9 million) and also included a sell-on clause.
Fábio Vieira - The creative hope
The most recent addition to the list is Fábio Vieira, who joined Arsenal from Porto in the summer of 2022. Highly rated in Portugal for his vision and technical quality, Vieira was signed as part of Arteta’s ongoing squad rebuild aimed at bringing creativity and depth to midfield.
Vieira’s time at Arsenal so far has been mixed. While his passing range and intelligence on the ball are clear, he has struggled for consistency and physicality in the Premier League. Injuries have also hampered his rhythm.
In the 2024/25 season, Vieira was loaned back to Porto. His performances there were a mixed bag, just like his days in North London, but showed signs of improvement. Portuguese media noted his creative contributions, though also highlighted ongoing issues with consistency and physicality. Upon returning to Arsenal at the end of the campaign, Mikel Arteta reintegrated Vieira into training. Still, he failed to impress the Spaniard, who had acquired Eberechi Eze, forcing Vieira out of the door again for game time. He has joined Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga for the duration of the 2025/26 campaign on loan.
Final thoughts
Though Arsenal has long been a club associated with international diversity, the number of Portuguese players who have worn the red and white for first-team appearances remains surprisingly small. With just six in the club’s history, it highlights how selective recruitment from certain regions can be, even in an era of global scouting. It’s also a reminder of how rare pathways to the Premier League can be - and why fans often look back at these unique careers with curiosity. Much like niche football trivia or even games such as nj slingo, sometimes the most interesting stories come from unexpected places.
Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes scored a sensational free-kick on Sunday evening as Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Lille in Ligue 1.
The former Sporting man struck not long after being substituted on midway through the second half at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to give PSG the lead, but the champions were later pegged back by a goal scored by Ethan Mbappe, brother of their former star Kylian.
The two moments provided plenty of viral coverage on Sunday night, with Mendes surprising many with the quality of his free-kick, while Kylian Mbappe’s presence in the stadium to cheer his brother’s late equaliser against his former club also gained plenty of attention. The goal was Mendes’ second of the season, after a respectable tally of 5 last term across all competitions.
"Luckily, I managed to score, but we should have done a bit more,” Mendes said after the match. “1-0 away against a team that's good and knows how to play football is complicated.
"We were better in the second half, we had a lot of chances. I think we played well, strong. We were very aggressive at every opportunity. They had two or three chances and managed to score one goal, that's football. The squad rotation? It's not an excuse, we have a squad of players that are all ready to play. We didn't manage to win this game, but we keep working and we'll try to do better next time."
Luis Enrique’s rotation of his side saw Nuno Mendes and Vitinha drop to the bench, with each called into the action with the match goalless in the second period. Gonçalo Ramos played the full 90 minutes, while João Neves missed the match with a hamstring problem.
PSG remain top of Ligue 1, but having dropped points in two of their last three matches, the gap to second-place Marseille is just one point heading into the international break.
Jorge Jesus and João Félix are enjoying a fine start to life with Al Nassr, where the Portuguese pair have helped Cristiano Ronaldo’s side to a 100% start to the new Pro League season.
Al Nassr have won all four of their league matches to sit top of the table after the first month of the season, including an impressive 2-0 victory at defending champions Al Ittihad. The result was considered significant enough for Al Ittihad manager Laurent Blanc to lose his job, despite guiding the team to the championship last term.
João Félix is the league’s top goalscorer with five goals, while the former Benfica man also scored and provided an assist in the 4-0 win over Jeddah in the King’s Cup. In total, Félix has seven goals and two assists across eight matches, making it an outstanding start to life in the Middle East for the 26-year-old.
As such, Félix was named Player of the Month for September in the Roshn Saudi League. Inevitably, Jorge Jesus followed suit, earning the Manager of the Month award, having won 4/4 matches with his team conceding just one goal during the period. Jesus is an esteemed coach in Saudi Arabia, having led Al Hilal to the title in 2024 - an achievement which included a world-record winning run.
Al Nassr’s ambitions look set to come under competition from a familiar face, with reports indicating that Sérgio Conceição will take the vacant position at champions Al Ittihad and renew rivalries with Jesus in Saudi Arabia. According to several outlets, former Porto boss Conceição has agreed a two-year deal in Jeddah to lead Al Ittihad’s defence of their title.
Nottingham Forest 0-3 Chelsea
Each year, countless Portuguese players depart their homeland in search of developing a career abroad. Nuno Moreira was one of them in February when he left Casa Pia for an adventure in Brazilian football with Vasco Da Gama, in a move which barely registered on the international market.
Portugal full-back Nuno Mendes scored a sensational free-kick on Sunday evening as Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 draw at Lille in Ligue 1.
Jorge Jesus and João Félix are enjoying a fine start to life with Al Nassr, where the Portuguese pair have helped Cristiano Ronaldo’s side to a 100% start to the new Pro League season.