Enzo Maresca was given plenty to think about as Chelsea beat Noah (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Following Chelsea’s Conference League thumping of FC Noah, manager Enzo Maresca must decide on his starting lineup for Sunday’s match against Arsenal.
Joao Felix’s performance in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday, according to former Chelsea player Joe Cole, has caused Blues manager Enzo Maresca a worry.
Maresca’s significantly improved squad defeated Armenian rivals FC Noah by eight goals thanks to two goals from the summer acquisition before halftime. With a +13 goal differential and all of the league’s points, the Blues are currently leading the standings halfway through the league phase.
He now has five goals in 10 games this season, which is more than he scored in 20 games during his previous stint with the Blues in 2022–2023. The Portugal international, who signed a permanent contract over the summer, has scored four goals in Europe and one in the league, including in the team’s 6-2 victory over Wolves on the road in August.
Joao Felix has only played 117 minutes in the Premier League under Maresca, despite flourishing in Europe. Cole, who joined the Blues in 2003 under Claudio Ranieri and played there for seven years, can see things changing soon.
“I thought he was brilliant, he applied himself,” former Atletico Madrid player Cole stated on TNT Sports. “You must keep in mind that Joao was once a player valued at £100 million. His career has undoubtedly been up and down, but he is incredibly gifted and wants to call Chelsea home.
“His amazing movement astounded me when he first arrived at the club. He needs this in order to finish with that degree of poise and advance in his game.
Cole said that if everything starts to work well, the 24-year-old may score 20 goals. Given his qualities, he should be a starter, thus it’s understandable that he would feel sorry for himself. The manager has a headache because of him,” he continued.
Chelsea’s Premier League match against Arsenal on Sunday is their final match before the international break. Joao Felix was not used as a substitute in any of his team’s previous three league games, but Cole Palmer’s injury scare and his two-goal performance against Noah might present him with an opportunity.
“For the past two days, he did not train. Prior to the Noah game, Maresca stated of Palmer, “We shall see.” “I hope he can stay in shape. I believe it’s quite obvious that the tackle wasn’t typical. I hope he can return.
There were other players who made an impression on Thursday besides Joao Felix. Christopher Nkunku scored two goals of his own, and Marc Guiu scored his first goal for Chelsea since joining from Barcelona in the summer. Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, and Mykhailo Mudryk scored the other goals.
Following the victory, Maresca remarked, “It’s easy to fall asleep or fall down in this type of game.” “There are many surprises in football. Before the game, I asked them to demonstrate our professionalism and level of seriousness, and they did.
