Ben Chilwell said Chelsea teammate Joao Felix has been “unlucky” not to have scored more after getting himself into “great positions” during games.
Felix has established himself as one of the first names on Graham Potter’s team sheet since his arrival in January.
Interestingly, he has now played more Premier League minutes than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
While he offers a lot to the team, his goal against Everton on Saturday was his only second direct goal contribution to Chelsea.
As Craig Burley previously pointed out, it is quite frustrating how despite his good performance, the on-loan Atletico Madrid forward’s final output has been underwhelming.
Chilwell, however, argued that Felix has just been unlucky in front of the goal.
“Joao took his goal very well but you expect that from him because he’s a brilliant player,” the England international told Chelsea’s official website after the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Everton.
“He’s very technically gifted but he also brings so much to the team in terms of his work rate.
“He’s been a bit unlucky in recent weeks, he’s hit the woodwork a few times, but he gets himself into great positions and he deserved his goal.”
Felix has so far hit the woodwork twice in the Premier League. To put it into perspective, Raheem Sterling is the only Chelsea player to have done it more times (3).
According to FBref, the versatile attacker averages more expected goals (0.49) per 90 minutes than any Chelsea player.
Chilwell clearly made a very good point that Felix has actually been getting himself into great scoring positions.
As he improves his finishing — at 23, he likely will, the goals will come.
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