Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has cited 'maintaining balance' as the reason why Joao Felix is yet to start in the Premier League.
When the Blues were negotiating the sale of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid during the summer transfer window, an opportunity arose for Felix to move in the opposition direction.
Once financial terms were agreed between the clubs, the Portugal international jumped at the chance to return to a club that he had represented during the second half of 2022-23.
Despite the prospect of enjoying regular action in the final third, the 24-year-old has been left frustrated with regards to his game time in the Premier League.
Felix has accumulated just 118 minutes across five substitute outings in the top flight, his one goal coming on his second debut for the club away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 26.
Although four starts have been made in the Conference League and EFL Cup, Felix is currently featuring in the team far less than he would have anticipated.
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What has Maresca had to say?
The situation of Felix, who remained as an unused substitute against Manchester United on Sunday, was raised at Wednesday's press conference ahead of the Conference League fixture with FC Noah.
Speaking to reporters, Maresca replied: "I feel shame about Joao - not only about Joao but you have asked me about Joao.
"I feel shame about Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League but I have said many times, we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole [Palmer[, Christo [Nkunku] - I like to put all of them inside the pitch but then you also have to defend and you need the right balance between the two phases of attacking and defending.
"This is the only reason why. There is no doubt if Joao keeps working well, he is going to find his moment also in the Premier League."
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Potential for two starts in succession?
There is every expectation that Felix will again be deployed in the number 10 role for the meeting with the Armenian side at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, with Palmer currently nursing a knee injury, Felix could be called upon to feature against Arsenal on Sunday.
He has proven in recent weeks that he is capable of competing the 90 minutes, doing so away at Panathinaikos and Newcastle United respectively.
That seemingly puts him in an advantageous position to start each of the games in the remaining double-header before the international break.
Darren Plant
