Joao Felix has told Enzo Maresca that he will ‘perform best’ in a central attacking position for Chelsea.
Felix returned to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a permanent deal for £45 million in the summer having spent five months on loan at Stamford Bridge last year.
However, the 25-year-old has found it difficult to secure a regular role at Chelsea this season due to the strong competition for places in Maresca’s attack.
So far this season, Felix has made just two appearances as a substitute in the Premier League, while he has scored four goals in three Conference League games, plus started both matches in the Carabao Cup.
Maresca has stressed the need for balance in Chelsea’s attack and speaking after scoring in Portugal’s 1-1 draw with Croatia in the Nations League on Monday night, Felix made it clear that he would prefer a central role in the team.
‘I think where I can perform best is in the central area of the pitch, something I haven’t played in the last four years,’ Felix told Sport TV.
‘Whether as a false nine, a No.10, a second striker, I think that’s where I can help the team the most, where I can contribute the most to the game and I think you could see that in the first half.’
Asked whether this will be a ‘season of affirmation’ at Chelsea, Felix replied: ‘I don’t know, I can’t predict the future.
‘I always try to do my best, I work for that. I’m a professional so I can be at my best. And if it’s this season, or next season, in two years, three or ten… I don’t know. But it will happen one day.’
Speaking about Felix’s lack of minutes in the Premier League before the international break, Maresca said: ‘I feel a shame for Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole [Palmer], Christo [Nkunku.
‘I’d like to put all of them on the pitch but then you need to defend, and you need the right balance. I don’t have any doubts that if Joao keeps working well, he will find his moment in the Premier League.’
