Joao Felix will not be part of Chelsea’s squad for their upcoming match against Manchester City.

The Portuguese forward has been granted compassionate leave due to a family bereavement and is set to fly home.

This leaves Chelsea without the 25-year-old as they travel to face Manchester City, with both teams aiming to push for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Limited Playing Time Under Maresca Raises Questions About Felix’s Future at Chelsea

Felix, who made the £46.3 million move from Atletico Madrid in the summer, has played just 12 times in the Premier League this season.

Despite being brought in as a significant addition to the squad, many of those appearances have been as a substitute.

With Cole Palmer holding the No 10 spot under Enzo Maresca’s tactics, Felix has struggled to earn consistent playing time.

As a result, Felix’s name has been linked with potential moves away from Stamford Bridge.

Speculation around his future has grown, as he has not been a regular feature in Maresca’s starting lineup.

Maresca Explains Felix’s Limited Role and Praises His Quality

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca addressed Felix’s reduced minutes, explaining that the decision is purely tactical.

According to Maresca, the team often plays with just one attacking midfielder, which has left Felix, along with Christo Nkunku, struggling to secure consistent appearances.

Despite the limited game time, Maresca was quick to praise Felix’s abilities, calling him a “fantastic” player.

“The problem, unfortunately, for Joao and Christo is that the manager plays most games with one attacking midfielder, and that’s Cole Palmer,” Maresca shared.

“They are fantastic players, fantastic guys who work well, but the reason they struggle for minutes is due to the team’s tactical balance.”

No Confirmation on Felix’s Potential Departure Before Transfer Window Closes

When asked about the possibility of Felix leaving Chelsea during the current transfer window, Maresca was cautious.

He refrained from making any definitive statements about a potential exit, but acknowledged the challenges Felix has faced in getting consistent playtime.

“I’m not saying that he will leave,” Maresca clarified.

“I like both Joao and Christo, but the reason they struggle for minutes is the tactical setup, not because of their qualities.”

Chelsea to Face Manchester City Without Lavia Due to Injury

In addition to Felix’s absence, Chelsea will also be without midfielder Romeo Lavia, who is recovering from an injury.

The former Manchester City academy graduate is not expected to return until March.

With key players unavailable, Chelsea will have a tough challenge ahead as they face Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn