Chelsea ahead Joao Felix has pulled out of the squad to face Manchester Metropolis this afternoon because of a household bereavement.
Felix is ready to fly house after being granted compassionate depart by the membership.
He could have been in rivalry to characteristic towards Metropolis on the Etihad however simply hours forward of the sport, it emerged he’s now now not out there for choice.
The 25-year-old rejoined the Blues final summer season on a everlasting deal, having beforehand spent a spell on mortgage at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Felix has been restricted to simply 20 appearances in all competitions this season and has been linked with a transfer away this month, with a number of golf equipment stated to be eager.
Talking yesterday, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca delved into the explanations behind Felix’s restricted recreation time this season and labelled him as ‘implausible’.
‘For certain, Joao is a Chelsea participant,’ stated Maresca.
‘The issue, sadly, for Joao and Christo [Nkunku], the supervisor performs many of the video games with one attacking midfielder and that’s Cole Palmer.
‘We’ve got determined to play with an attacking midfielder in many of the video games, so that is the rationale why Joao and Christo battle to get minutes – not for any completely different causes as a result of they’re each implausible gamers, implausible guys who work effectively.
‘The explanation why is barely as a result of many of the video games I resolve to play with one attacking midfielder when it comes to steadiness. That is the rationale why.’
Pushed on whether or not Felix might depart earlier than the switch window slammed shut, Maresca added: ‘I’m not saying that, I’m not saying that.
‘I’m saying that I like each however the motive why they battle is as a result of more often than not I play with one attacking midfielder.’
Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia may also be absent from Chelsea’s 20-man squad whereas late calls can be made on Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez.
