Enzo Maresca’s past comments show Joao Felix is fighting a losing battle at Chelsea
João Félix’s tenure at Chelsea under manager Enzo Maresca has been marked by challenges, casting doubt on his future at the club. Since his permanent move to Stamford Bridge, Félix has struggled to secure a consistent starting position. In 16 appearances, he has recorded 5 goals and 2 assists, statistics that pale in comparison to teammates Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku, who have netted 11 and 12 goals respectively.
Maresca has openly discussed Félix’s role within the team, suggesting that pairing him with Palmer could be a tactical solution to opponents’ strategies. He stated, “One of the solutions could be Joao [Félix], or Joao and Cole together.” Despite this consideration, Félix’s on-field contributions have not met expectations, leading to a significant decline in his market valuation—from €100 million to €30 million—raising concerns about his long-term prospects at Chelsea.
The situation is further complicated by Maresca’s recent decisions to drop players like Noni Madueke and Renato Veiga due to performance issues, signaling a stringent approach to team selection. Félix’s inconsistent performances place him at risk of similar scrutiny, especially as Chelsea aims to strengthen its squad in upcoming transfer windows.
Félix’s journey at Chelsea reflects a broader narrative of unfulfilled potential. Once heralded as a future star, his inability to adapt and deliver in the Premier League under Maresca’s management suggests he is fighting a losing battle to establish himself as a key player at the club.
