The drama and excitement surrounding João Félix seems to never end. Since his controversial departure from Atletico Madrid and his arrival at Chelsea, the future of the talented Portuguese player has been the subject of intense debate. Now under the guidance of new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, the young striker faces a crucial challenge: proving that he can be the player he once promised to be.
Enzo Maresca's Demands
Last summer, João Félix left Atletico Madrid to return to Chelsea after a loan spell in the 22-23 season. Despite Chelsea spending a considerable amount on him, expectations were not fully met during his first spell at Stamford Bridge. EnzoMaresca, the new Chelsea manager, has been clear on his messages to the Portuguese player.
In a telephone conversation before his arrival, Maresca told him straight: "The reason I'm talking to you is that I really like you. If you come here the way we want, we're happy. But if you come here and don't work hard, you'd better not come." This message underlines the importance Maresca gives to effort and self-sacrifice on the field.
João Félix's Challenge at Chelsea
Despite his obvious talent, João Félix has struggled to earn a place in Chelsea's starting line-up. So far, he has come off the bench in their opening games of the season, including the ones against Wolverhampton and Crystal Palace. Although he did manage to score in the former, he has yet to establish himself as a key player in Maresca's system.
The lack of a starting role and his absence in the second leg of the Conference League qualifier against Servette reflect the challenge João Félix is facing. The Italian coach seems to be prioritizing players who show consistent commitment and solid performances in every training session and game.
The Past and Present of João Félix
Since his explosive season at Benfica, where he showed exceptional talent at a young age, expectations have been high for João Félix. His transfer to Atletico Madrid, followed by a move to Chelsea, raised high hopes, but the results have been mixed.
Maresca, who has known João for years, is confident that the Portuguese player can still reach the level he once promised. The Italian coach sees Felix as a player with great potential and believes that, with the right work, he can recover his best version. "He is a bit like Misha[Mudryk]. We are going to help them improve and see if they can take a step forward to reach that kind of level for those players," said Maresca.