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Aston Villa transfer target finally set for chance after lengthy exclusion
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has teased that Aston Villa summer transfer target Joao Felix is likely to be handed an opportunity in the Blues' Premier League side in the near future after weeks of omission and frustration. The Portuguese international was wanted by Unai Emery in the summer but Felix instead arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Villa sold Moussa Diaby in the summer and, for a portion of the transfer window, appeared as though they'd be parting with Jhon Duran too, which emphasised Unai Emery's desire to bring in another attacker. Duran remained, Villa had to remain within the PSR parameters and instead Felix left Atletico Madrid.
Things haven't exactly gone according to plan for the playmaker since he returned to London, however; having scored on his second Premier League debut in the 6-2 win at Wolves at the beginning of the season, Felix has been limited to substitute appearances - and even they've dried up. Felix has played nine minutes since September, and has been an unused substitute in four of the last five top flight games.
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The competition is admittedly stern. Felix is competing for a place in the starting XI with the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Mykhaylo Mudryk. Felix did, however, get a run out in Chelsea's effectively second string side in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, as he scored twice in the ruthless 8-0 win over Armenian side FC Noah.
Maresca has fielded questions on when Felix may get a chance in the side, and the Italian reasoned that 'soon' the attacker, who in a parallel universe would likely be getting plenty more minutes if he'd alternatively pitched up at Villa, will get an opportunity. Chelsea host Arsenal on Sunday.
"I feel a shame for Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League, but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole [Palmer], Christo," Maresca said. "I’d like to put all of them on the pitch but then you need to defend, and you need the right balance. I don’t have any doubts that if Joao keeps working well, he will find his moment in the Premier League."
He added: “It depends on the game. Probably soon we are going to see Joao and Cole [Palmer] together in the pocket with a striker.”
