Why Chelsea look set to leave Joao Felix OUT of their Champions League squad
Money may buy Chelsea happiness, but it cannot allow them to register all of their new stars on their Champions League roster.
The Blues had the most impressive transfer window in Europe, shelling out nearly £300 million for some of the world’s most exciting players.
The sheer cost of the talent that has passed through the revolving door at Stamford Bridge means that, on average, each of their eight January acquisitions has cost over £30 million.
With only three spots available to add to their European squad for the second half of the season, Graham Potter will have to make some difficult decisions.
Chelsea made eight January signings, although Malo Gusto will remain on loan with Lyon until the summer.
Benoit Badiashile of Monaco arrived first, followed by David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos. Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid came next, followed by fellow Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, and World Cup champion Enzo Fernandez for over £100 million.
So let’s just add the two obvious choices, Mudryk and Fernandez, to the team. They cost over £160 million combined, excluding add-ons, and with only Jorginho departing for Arsenal, one of the new Blues is a natural replacement.
Only one position remains, so let’s eliminate David DaRto Fofana and Andrey Santos. Both are much lower profile at 20 and 18 years old, and neither is likely to make much of a fuss over being overlooked.
Madueke cost nearly £30 million, but he is also only 20 years old, has no Champions League experience, and is new to the Premier League, so it is easy for Graham Potter to convince him that it is in his best interest to be eased into life in west London.
Consequently, Badiashile and Felix are essentially competing for the final spot on the team. And it’s a difficult choice.
Felix was recruited for this purpose. With a loan fee of £9 million and a wealth of experience at the highest level for Atletico, Benfica, and Portugal, Chelsea will want to get the most out of their signing… notably considering that the cost-per-game ratio has increased as a result of his Premier League debut red card suspension.
Badiashile’s addition has greatly improved Chelsea’s defensive performance. They have a plethora of attacking options in the league, including the presumably-fresh Madueke and Fofana, but not as many defensive options, what with an aging Thiago Silva, a disappointing Kalidou Koulibaly, and Potter wanting to play a back three, not to mention injuries.
Also, by registering Mudryk, Fernandez, and Badiashile for the next round of the Champions League, they will have a forward, a midfielder, and a defender: a balanced roster. Felix probably believed he would at least reach the Round of 16 in this year’s competition, but his parent club, Atletico Madrid, was eliminated in the group stage.
Thinking more like Football Manager, if you inform a loanee that he is not included in your plans for a particular competition, you won’t have to endure his resentment beyond the summer.
Who would have predicted when Felix was signed that he would be in danger of being left off the Champions League roster?
Why Chelsea look set to leave Joao Felix OUT of their Champions League squad
