Signed amidst mixed reactions from the fan base due to the plethora of attacking options of similar traits already present in the squad, Joao Felix has had to fight to prove his worth to the manager and Chelsea faithfuls.
Profile wise, Felix is best utilised as a number “10” behind a mobile striker but considering some of the options already available to Maresca (Palmer, Nkunku, Enzo etc), Felix continues to find himself on the periphery of premier league action.
At the moment, Palmer remains ahead of the Portuguese in the pecking order as the team’s number 10.
Improvising and switching tactics, Maresca continues to create openings for Palmer and Felix to play together, utilising the Portuguese as an inside winger against teams likely to setup in a low-block or defend with 5-men in the last line.
Maresca’s admiration for Felix is no secret and the manager has publicly expressed his belief in the 25-year old’s talent as he was quoted saying;
“Palmer and Felix are the kind of players people pay tickets for, These players see things other players don’t see…”
Maresca’s confession regarding Felix is undoubted as the former Benfica man was once touted as the next big thing in the footballing world after breaking out as an 18-year old attacker for Benfica.
Wrong career move choices and a lack of sufficient desire and hunger to pursue excellence has somewhat slowed the progress of the ex-golden boy awardee.
Now looking to rejuvenate his career under the tutelage of Italian manager Enzo Maresca, Felix seems to have found the joy of playing football again, after a torrid time at the Metropolitano stadium.
Playing as an inside forward last night against the Saints, Felix continued his good form as he created the most chances in the game with 3 and 2 big chances.
Accounting for 36 completed passes from a total of 39 attempted passes, Felix was at his creative best as he registered one assist for Noni Madueke to get Chelsea’s third goal on the night.
Dazzling with the ball and mesmerizing opponents has never been a problem for Joao but his criticisms have often come from what he does off it.
Felix’s subtle renaissance has seen him take on more responsibility off the ball.
Tracking the runs of the opposing full back when played as an inside forward and pressing at the right intensity and angles saw Felix make two interceptions, six recoveries and win seven out of ten ground duels.
These steady improvements are signs that Joao is taking to Maresca’s teachings but one key area left for improvement is in Felix’s lackadaisical approach to finishing chances, especially big chances.
In his time at Chelsea (both present and loan spell), Felix has been guilty of missing gilt-edge chances, often to the frustration of many who rate him highly.
The 25-year old sometimes tries too hard to score the perfect goal, taking too many touches and seeing his shot blocked or saved and the chance to score, gone.
Last night, Felix missed 2 big chances to register his name on the scoresheet for the second time in the premier league this season after his “second-debut” goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
One of the chances the former golden boy winner missed was a completely free header at the back-post after Noni found him free with a delicious cross begging to be nodded home in the second half.
Such misses could prove fatal in more tightly contested affairs and if Felix is to have any chance of winning a place in the ‘first team’, then he has to put chances like such away ruthlessly.
Evaluating Chelsea’s present left wing options, Sancho and Mudryk, would it make sense to try to fix Felix as an inside forward in place of either options for a chance as a starter in the premier league?
