Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been forced to utilise a large squad of quality players in his first campaign at the club.
The Italian has for the most part managed this issue quite well, utilising the Confidence League to allow for regular minutes for the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to try and make their marks.
Another player this has been the case for is Joao Felix. The Portugal international has started just three games in the Premier League so far.
The most recent of those was against Ipswich Town, where he saw a goal disallowed for a narrow offside.
- READ MORE: Why Joao Felix should be absolutely furious with Enzo Maresca following Chelsea’s defeat to Ipswich
It came as quite a shock to many to see Felix make the move to Stamford Bridge for the second time, with him moving at a time when it looked more likely it was Samu Omorodion who would move in exchange for Conor Gallagher.
Reports came out after the window slammed shut that Maresca himself would have preferred to sign a centre-back than Felix.
Despite the addition of Tosin Adarabioyo to the squad over the summer, it felt as if Chelsea were just one big injury away from disaster in that position.
This has now occurred in depressing fashion. Benoit Badiashile has a long-term problem, whilst Wesley Fofana could be out for the entire season.
While Fofana himself doesn’t seem to think the injury is as serious, it has certainly been a big blow to the Blues’ season.
Their issues at the back led to teenager Josh Acheampong starting his first game for the club at the weekend in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Could Aaron Anselmino feature for Chelsea this season?
It was reported last week that Chelsea have made the decision to bring Aaron Anselmino in from Boca Juniors early, with him now back at the club after the expectation that he wouldn’t return until the end of the season.
Given Chelsea’s very obvious injury problems at the back, it looked as if there was an argument to suggest he could be in for first team minutes as soon as this season.
However, Maresca’s recent comments make it seem unlikely that he will make his debut anytime soon.
He said: “He’s another talent, another good player, now the most important thing is that he arrives here and he adapts himself, he starts to find a house, settling in the right way.
“Then we need to give him time, because when you come from the other part of the world, you need to adapt, you need to see a new world, a new culture, but for sure we are going to try to help him to adapt as soon as possible.
“No, at the moment the plan is to keep him here, to allow him to work with us and then to take a decision.
“No, if he’s here it’s because we think he’s a good player and he can help us. But for sure he’s very young and he’s coming from Argentina, completely different culture, different football, different level. So he needs time for that.”
Maresca will be praying that he can find a solution soon, with the Blues without a win in their last four Premier League games.
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