
Could Chelsea’s £45m gamble on João Felix unravel just five months in?
The Portuguese forward, signed permanently last summer, has started just three Premier League games this term, sliding behind Cole Palmer in Enzo Maresca’s pecking order. With Aston Villa now leading the race for his signature, Metro reports Chelsea may use Felix as bait to land Villa’s Jhon Duran a striker also wanted by Arsenal and West Ham.
Felix’s frustration is palpable. Despite Maresca calling him “fantastic”, the manager admits Palmer’s form in a lone attacking role has frozen him out. Villa’s Unai Emery, a long-term admirer, sees this as a chance to finally land his target. But there’s a catch: Villa’s financial constraints mean a straight cash deal is unlikely. Finance expert Stefan Borson warns they’d need a swap, with Duran the obvious candidate.
For Chelsea, swapping Felix for Duran could solve two problems. Nicolas Jackson’s seven-game goal drought has exposed their striker crisis, while Felix’s wages reportedly over £200k weekly weigh heavy on the books. Yet Villa fans might balk. Trading a rising star like Duran for an out-of-favour luxury player risks weakening Emery’s squad depth.
Maresca has publicly denied Felix is for sale, but actions speak louder. Talks between Villa and Chelsea are ongoing, with Axel Disasi’s loan move adding complexity. AC Milan linger as wildcards, though their loan bid was rebuffed earlier this month.
You wonder: is this a rare win-win or a panic swap? Felix needs minutes to revive his career; Chelsea crave a clinical striker. But with Duran unproven in England and Felix’s consistency questioned, both clubs gamble. As talkSPORT notes, Villa’s Champions League squad rules add urgency they can only register three new players.