Joe Cole pinpoints Chelsea headache that could force Enzo Maresca U-turn
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has decisions to make over his starting line-up against Arsenal on Sunday after the Blues demolished FC Noah in the Conference League
by Tom Victor · The MirrorFormer Chelsea star Joe Cole believes Joao Felix has given Blues boss Enzo Maresca a headache with his display in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
The summer signing scored twice before half-time as Maresca's much-changed team put eight goals past Armenian opponents FC Noah. The Blues now sit atop the table at the halfway point in the league phase, with maximum points and a +13 goal difference.
Those two goals brought him up to five in 10 games this season, more than he managed in 20 outings during his first Blues spell in the 2022-23 season. The Portugal international rejoined in a permanent deal over the summer, and has scored four times in Europe to go along with one league goal in the 6-2 win away at Wolves in August.
Despite thriving in Europe, Joao Felix has managed just 117 minutes under Maresca in the Premier League. However, Cole - who spent seven years with the Blues after joining under Claudio Ranieri in 2003 - can see that changing sooner rather than later.
"I thought he was brilliant, he applied himself," TNT Sports pundit cole said of the former Atletico Madrid man. "You have to remember with Joao, he was a £100 million player at some point, his career has obviously gone here, there and everywhere but he’s very, very talented, he wants to make Chelsea his home.
"When he first came to the club I was blown away by how good his movement was. This is what he needs to take his game to the next level, finishing with that kind of composure."
Cole suggested the 24-year-old could become a 20-goal player if everything starts to click. "He could be forgiven for feeling sorry for himself because he should be a starter with his quality. He’s given the manager a headache," he added.
Should Joao Felix be playing more for Chelsea in the league? Have your say in the comments section
Chelsea have just one more game to go before the international break, a Premier League clash with Arsenal on Sunday. Joao Felix was an unused substitute for each of his team's last three league outings, but an injury scare for Cole Palmer - coupled with the two-goal display against Noah - could give him an opening.
"He didn't train the last two days. We will see," Maresca said of Palmer ahead of the Noah game. "Hopefully he can be fit. The tackle, I think it's quite clear, was not a normal one. Hopefully he can be back."
Joao Felix wasn't the only player to impress on Thursday. Marc Guiu scored his first Chelsea goal since his summer move from Barcelona and Christopher Nkunku scored two goals of his own, with the others coming from Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk.
"It’s easy to sleep or fall down in this type of game," Maresca said after the win. "Football is full of surprises. What I asked them before the game was to show how serious we are, how professional, and they showed that."
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