August 20th 2024.
The return of Joao Felix to Chelsea has given Enzo Maresca, the team's manager, more to consider. With the addition of this high-profile recruit, Maresca's already crowded squad now has yet another player to accommodate. Although Felix's previous loan spell at Chelsea in 2022/23 was not particularly impressive, it seems that the Portuguese forward will now be joining the club permanently. This also means that Conor Gallagher's transfer to Atletico Madrid can finally be completed, as the English midfielder was unable to reach an agreement on a new contract with Chelsea.
At one point, Joao Felix was highly sought after by top European clubs when he made a whopping €126 million move from Benfica to Atletico in 2019. However, his return to west London has not caused the same level of excitement. This could be due to the fact that Maresca's squad is already quite large and some may even say comically so, making it a challenging environment for Felix to find his top form. As Maresca ponders how to make the most out of his newest addition, let's explore the options for where Joao Felix could fit into Chelsea's starting lineup.
During his previous spell at Chelsea, Joao Felix played in various positions. In 20 appearances, he only managed to score four goals and provide no assists in any competition. Along with his lack of consistent scoring, Felix also struggled to secure a regular spot on the team, playing as a centre forward, left winger, and second striker in seven, five, and six matches respectively. However, during his loan at Barcelona last year, he mainly played on the left wing and had more success, scoring ten goals and providing four assists for the La Liga club.
Now, under Maresca's management, Chelsea has been playing a possession-oriented 4-3-3 formation, which was instrumental in Leicester City's Championship success last season. This formation does not have a traditional number 10 position, making it unlikely for Felix to fit in as a second striker. Even if Maresca switches to a 4-2-3-1 formation, it is more probable that Cole Palmer would be chosen for the central role, given his impressive performance there last season.
One option for Felix could be to play on the left wing, as he did for Barcelona. However, this would mean pushing Christopher Nkunku to the bench, and it may also limit the playing time for fellow new signing Pedro Neto. Another possibility is for Felix to lead the attack and replace Nicolas Jackson, who struggled in the opening match against Manchester City and has not been able to solidify his place on the team since joining from Villareal last summer. A more technical player like Felix in the striker position could work well in Maresca's system, but as with Jackson, scoring goals consistently has been a challenge for Felix in this role.
Alternatively, Felix could be deployed in a deeper midfield position as an attacking number eight, similar to how Nkunku played during pre-season. However, there may be concerns about his physicality, and Maresca may opt to continue with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in midfield, despite their lackluster performances since their expensive transfers to Chelsea.
The pundits have also shared their thoughts on Felix's arrival and how it may affect other players, such as new signing Pedro Neto. Gary Neville from Sky Sports predicts that Felix will compete with Jackson for the striker position, playing as a false nine with two wingers ahead of him. He also believes that Cole Palmer, who has been impressive in the number 10 role, will continue there, which means one of the three midfielders will have to be left out. On the other hand, Jamie Carragher is more skeptical about the signing, questioning where Felix will fit in with Neto and Palmer already in the team.
Overall, the return of Joao Felix to Chelsea has given Enzo Maresca more to think about in terms of his lineup and how to utilize the talented player. With several options for where Felix could play, it remains to be seen how he will fit into Maresca's tactics and how he will perform in his second stint at the club.
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