Joao Felix will not be part of the Chelsea squad for their upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City.

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

His absence leaves a gap in Chelsea’s plans as they prepare to face City in what promises to be a crucial game for their top-four aspirations.

Limited Playing Time Under Maresca

Felix, who made a £46.3 million move from Atletico Madrid last summer, has featured in only 12 Premier League matches this season.

Despite his talent, the 25-year-old has often found himself coming off the bench, struggling to secure a starting spot due to manager Enzo Maresca’s preference for Cole Palmer in the No 10 role.

Link to Potential Transfer Move

With Felix’s limited game time, speculation about a potential move away from Stamford Bridge has been growing.

Various clubs are reportedly interested in securing his services, and his future at Chelsea could be in doubt, particularly with the January transfer window in full swing.

Maresca Explains Felix’s Role and Future

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has addressed the reasons behind Felix’s limited playing time, stating that the decision to primarily play with one attacking midfielder has impacted both Felix and teammate Christopher Nkunku.

Maresca described both players as “fantastic” and emphasized that their lack of minutes was purely a tactical decision to maintain balance in the team.

Maresca noted, “The problem, unfortunately, for Joao and Christo is that I play most of the games with one attacking midfielder, and that is Cole Palmer.

The reason why they struggle to get minutes is simply because of the system, not because of their abilities or attitude.”

When asked about the possibility of Felix leaving Chelsea before the transfer window closes, Maresca remained non-committal, saying, “I am not saying that.

I like both players, but the reason they’re not playing more is simply the system I’m using.”

Chelsea Dealing with Other Injuries

In addition to Felix’s absence, Chelsea will also be without Romeo Lavia, who is sidelined due to injury.

The former Manchester City academy graduate is expected to return in March, further limiting Chelsea’s options for the time being.

As Chelsea faces City in a key match, Maresca will have to make adjustments without some of his key players, including Felix.

The team will be hoping to secure a positive result as they continue their push for a spot in next season’s Champions League.

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

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