Chelsea News: Enzo Maresca explains Joao Felix's limited role due to Cole Palmer
During the pre-match press conference for this Saturday’s highly anticipated Manchester City vs Chelsea clash, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca shed some light on recent speculations.
When asked about Joao Felix’s place in the Chelsea squad, the Italian offered a candid response:
“Joao Felix is a Chelsea player - a top player. The problem for Joao [Felix] and Christopher Nkunku I choose to play most of the games with one attacking midfielder, Palmer.
“They struggle to get minutes, not for any different reasons. They are top players.”
Pressed further on whether this could signal a departure for the Portuguese and French stars, Maresca clarified:
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying that I like both, but the reason why they struggle [for minutes] is because most of the time I play with one attacking midfielder.”
The numbers
Contrary to popular belief, Nkunku has featured in more games for Chelsea this season than both Palmer and Felix.
Felix, on the other hand, has played just four fewer games than Palmer.
Palmer has started every Premier League game so far, with his only non-league appearances coming in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers back in August - making it a total of 24 appearances.
His Portuguese counterpart, Felix, has made 12 Premier League appearances, along with five in the Conference League, two in the Carabao Cup, and two in the FA Cup - a total of 20 appearances.
Nkunku, however, leads the trio with 28 appearances: 18 in the Premier League, seven in the Conference League (including qualifiers), two in the Carabao Cup, and one in the FA Cup.
A gamble
What stands out is the contrast in Premier League starts.
Among the entire Chelsea squad, only Palmer and Moises Caicedo have started every league game in the 2024/25 season.
While Palmer, Nkunku, and Felix are rotated across all competitions, their signings were largely seen as reinforcements for the main team - the one competing in the Premier League.
Whether the three will see more rotation in league games remains to be seen.
However, it is clear that Palmer has made the biggest impact and more than earned his place in the starting XI.
That said, it can be argued that Felix and Nkunku could be utilized against weaker league opponents, giving Palmer some much-needed rest.
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