Maresca Admits Guilt Over Lack Of Premier League Action For Joao Felix
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says he feels guilty at not being able to give Joao Felix more minutes in the Premier League.
Felix has played just five times in the Premier League since rejoining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in the summer, with all those appearances coming from the bench.
Indeed, Felix has failed to play a single minute in Chelsea's last four Premier League outings against Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal.
He has however been a constant fixture in the cup competitions, scoring four times in three Conference League outings so far.
Felix was on target during the recent international break for Portugal in their 1-1 Nations League draw with Croatia on Monday.
Third-placed Chelsea face Leicester City in the early Premier League kickoff on Saturday and ahead of the game manager Maresca brooded over some of the selection headaches he has had to contend with so far.
"I feel a shame for Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole [Palmer], Christo [Nkunku]," he said.
"I’d like to put all of them on the pitch but then you need to defend, and you need the right balance.
"I don’t have any doubts that if Joao keeps working well, he will find his moment in the Premier League."
