Three ways Chelsea could line up as Enzo Maresca drops hint over Joao Felix’s position in new-look XI
JOAO FELIX’s versatility could give Chelsea plenty of options to line up this season.
The Blues completed the signing of the Portuguese talent in a £42.6million deal with Atletico Madrid.
GettyJoao Felix has returned to Chelsea[/caption]
GettyEnzo Maresca has praised the attacker’s versatility[/caption]
The forward spent a six-month spell at Stamford Bridge back in 2023, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.
Felix, 24, has already been hailed by manager Enzo Maresca for his ability to play multiple positions.
He said: “Felix is a good player, he’s a talent.
“I think the good thing about him is he can play different positions, inside and outside. Number nine, this is why we buy him.”
Felix has played most of his career as a striker and could be opted for instead of Nicolas Jackson.
This could see the former Benfica star deployed with Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku on the wings either side of him.
Maresca could then use this new-look front free ahead of a midfield of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who started in the defeat to Manchester City.
The defence would be able to be kept the same as well with a back-four of Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto in front of Robert Sanchez in goal.
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Felix has also spent a decent amount of time in his career playing on the left wing.
This means that Maresca could opt to drop Nkunku in favour of Felix to start on the left.
He could start for Chelsea on the wing, which would cost Nkunku his spot with Jackson returning to the striker role.
Maresca could then make further changes down the team with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall coming in for Lavia.
The defence could see Tosin Adarabioyo replace Fofana and Filip Jorgensen appear in goal.
However, Maresca may opt to play a different formation and use Felix in the ten role behind the striker.
This would then allow for another attacking option, such as summer signing Pedro Neto, to appear on the left.
The attacking trio, including Palmer, could all play behind Jackson and in front of a holding midfield partnership of Caicedo and Fernandez.
Every Chelsea signing under Todd Boehly
Here is a list of all Chelsea’s signings under Todd Boehly…
Raheem Sterling – £50m
Kalidou Koulibaly £33m
Gabriel Slonina – £8m
Carney Chukweumeka – £20m
Marc Cucurella – £57.5m
Cesare Casadei – £13.3m
Wesley Fofana – £70m
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3m
Denis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)
David Datro Fofana – £10.6m
Benoit Badiashile – £33.7m
Andrey Santos – £11.1m
Joao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)
Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m
Noni Madueke – £30m
Malo Gusto – £26.75m
Enzo Fernandez – £107.8m
Christopher Nkunku – £52m
Diego Moreira – FREE
Nicolas Jackson – £31.5m
Angelo Gabriel – £13m
Lesley Ugochukwu – £23.3m
Axel Disasi – £38.9m
Robert Sanchez – £20m
Moises Caicedo – £100m
Romeo Lavia – £53.2m
Deivid Washington – £13.7m
Cole Palmer – £40.1m
Djordje Petrovic – £13.6m
Tosin Adarabioyo – FREE
Marc Guiu – £5.1m
Caleb Wiley – £8.63m
Renato Veiga – £12m
Aarón Anselmino – £14m
Omari Kellyman – £19.2m
Filip Jorgensen – £21m
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2m
Pedro Neto – £51m
Joao Felix – £42.6m
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Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a stunning return to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have announced the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on a permanent deal.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the £29.9m signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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