We missed something earlier this week in Simon Johnson’s Tweets earlier this week about the squad travelling to Kazakhstan for our game against Astana.
The Athletic’s Chelsea man noted that Joao Felix has an “issue,” which explains why he didn’t even travel.
The Portuguese has played more and more as the season has gone on, and it’s uncertain if he would have travelled anyway, but now he seems a major doubt for the game against Brentford this weekend.
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Enzo Maresca after Chelsea's win against Aston Villa (Photo by: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Enzo Maresca applauds the home fans. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
A very chilly Enzo Maresca in his press conference after the game against Astana.
Johnson says the problem is “yet to be confirmed,” and we’re sure there will be questions for manager Enzo Maresca after the game on Sunday if Felix isn’t in the squad.
Even in the worst case, it sounds pretty minor, but the Portugal international will be disappointed as he’s been locked in a battle with Jadon Sancho for minutes and this will be a setback for him in that tussle. Sancho has the hot-seat, and now has another chance to extend his lead.
Yet to be confirmed by the club but hearing Joao Felix has picked up an issue and hasn’t travelled. Academy players on the trip number into double figures.
— Simon Johnson (@SJohnsonSport) December 11, 2024
Enzo Maresca speaks in a press conference.
Enzo Maresca speaks in a press conference.
Chelsea’s deep squad means even 3 absences can be handled
We don’t want to be missing any player to injury, especially at this time of year, and especially after having just taken a long trip to Kazakhstan. But frankly, if there’s one area we can afford to lose a player it’s in those attacking slots.
Even with Pedro Neto suspended and Mykhailo Mudryk apparently “ill”, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho will be fresh and ready to go out wide from the start. Cole Palmer can easily be switched to the right later in the game, plus there’s Christopher Nkunku who needs more minutes anyway.
So there are options – but Maresca may have to tweak some things in the formation and lineup more than usual, especially against a Brentford side which have caused us all sorts of problems in the last few seasons.