Chelsea fans urge Enzo Maresca to give £45m signing his third Premier League start of the season vs Fulham

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Chelsea’s next match is a Boxing Day clash against local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea host Fulham on Thursday afternoon in the Premier League, which is a fixture between two teams enjoying really good seasons.

The Blues enter the Christmas period sitting second in the division table. They were even on an eight-game winning streak across all competitions before the weekend’s 0-0 draw away to Everton.

As for Fulham, they’re ninth in the league standings and impressing again under Marco Silva’s management.

Chelsea’s predicted starting XI versus Fulham does include a few changes from the Everton draw.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca gives Chelsea injury update ahead of Boxing Day clash against Fulham

Chelsea fans want Joao Felix to start against Fulham

A selection of Chelsea supporters on social media think Joao Felix, 25, should be recalled into the starting line-up for the home clash with Fulham.

The Portuguese attacker has only started two Premier League games so far this season since he re-signed for the Blues in a £45m deal (BBC) during the summer.

Here are many Blues fans on X urging Enzo Maresca to give Felix a rare chance to start on Boxing Day.

One fan wrote: “Joao Felix has to start against Fulham.”

“Need a Joao Felix start against Fulham,” another supporter added.

One fan posted: “Joao Felix deserves to start against Fulham.”

Another added: “Palmer looks tired. I think Felix should be playing the Fulham game.”

During an up and down career, Felix has shown numerous times that he’s got outstanding individual talent and the ability to change a game. He’s struggling to force his way into Maresca’s best line-up right now, though.

Chelsea had to convince Maresca to sign Felix in the summer, so perhaps it’s not the biggest surprise that he’s not nailed down a permanent role yet.

The versatile forward has shown glimpses of his quality across various cup competitions, but it’s been hard for him to play in the league on a regular basis.

What Pedro Neto said about Joao Felix over a month ago looks very interesting

Speaking back in early November, Pedro Neto claimed Chelsea teammate Felix is definitely improving. In fact, he described him as an “incredible” player he’s delighted to play alongside for club and country.

From the outside looking in, it appears that Maresca doesn’t quite share the same enthusiasm.

It’s interesting that Felix can’t get too many league opportunities. The fact that he’s been an unused substitute in six of Chelsea’s top-flight matches this campaign tells its own story.

Felix can cover as a No 10, No 10, or as a winger for the Blues. Will we see Maresca put more faith in him as the club enters this extremely busy festive schedule with plenty of games?