Chelsea have confirmed that Enzo Maresca actually had a role to play in securing the transfer of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid this summer.
Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday afternoon via X that Joao Felix has joined them on a permanent deal. He’s officially signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge, returning to the club where he spent time on loan in 2024.
Felix, 24, had a brief taste of the Premier League during his first stint at Chelsea. He scored four goals in 20 games for the Blues across all competitions.
Speaking via Sky Sports’ Main Event channel this week, Gary Neville thinks Felix could play as Chelsea’s number nine. However, the versatile forward has proven in his career so far he’s capable of playing several attacking positions, whether that’s as a winger, striker or as a number 10.
Enzo Maresca’s role in the Joao Felix transfer
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has welcomed another new face into his squad. Interestingly, it turns out that he actually had a role to play in the Felix deal by speaking a couple of times with him on the phone.
Chelsea wrote via their official website: “He (Felix) likes what he sees of Enzo Maresca’s methodology. ‘It will suit my game perfectly,’ he asserts. Two phone calls with the head coach prior to signing helped convince him Chelsea was his ideal long-term destination.”
Chelsea attack taking shape
There’s still over a week left of a hectic summer window, but Chelsea’s forward line is slowly beginning to take shape. Let’s hope that Maresca is pleased with the options at his disposal.
From the outside looking in, it looks like Felix will compete alongside teammates such as Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson for the main attacking positions.
On paper, Chelsea may be in a stronger position now than they were last season, which is ultimately a great thing.
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