"A star is a star" - Portuguese media react to Chelsea star Joao Felix's performance in their 1-1 draw with Croatia

On Monday (November 18), Portugal took on Croatia in the UEFA Nations League. Notably, it was Chelsea star Joao Felix who gave them the much desired lead in the 33rd minute. However, a second-half (65') equalizer from Josko Gvardiol made sure the teams split points.

Post the game, Portuguese media outlet A Bola have labeled him a star. However, they also voiced their concerns over Felix's areas of improvement. The outlet wrote (via TBR Football):

"A star is… a star, and the Chelsea forward has a talent that, unfortunately, especially for him, he doesn’t always manage to translate onto the pitch."

Joao Felix joined Chelsea for a second time prior to the 2024-25 season. Back in the January window of 2023, he was sent out on loan to the Stamford Bridge-based club by his parent outfit Atletico Madrid. He also enjoyed a season's loan spell at Barcelona last term, before making a complete switch to the Premier League in England.

However, the 25-year-old hasn't yet been at his best at his current club. He is yet to get a place in the starting line-up in Enzo Maresca's contingent. Though he is facing severe competition from Cole Palmer, Felix has made three appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League and netted four goals for Chelsea. In the Premier League, he has found the net once in five appearances.

Perhaps consistency is something which Maresca is demanding from Felix, since he can also operate as a No. 9 and has the potential to replace Nicolas Jackson. But his performances are yet to highlight his footballing aura.

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Chelsea and their goal-scoring form

Chelsea currently sit third on the Premier League table and at the top of the Conference League. Their goal-scoring has been top-notch under Enzo Maresca this term.

In the domestic league, they have scored 21 goals, joint third-highest goal-scoring feat along with Liverpool. Only Manchester City (22) and Tottenham Hotspur (23) have netted more goals than Maresca's side. Cole Palmer is their top scorer with seven goals. Notably, he has also notched up five assists to his name, which takes his goal contributions tally to 12 in 13 appearances.

The Blues' performances in the Conference League have been scintillating too. They have won all three games and scored 16 goals in the process. Eight out of these 16 came in their recent-most fixture against Noah. Two of Joao Felix's goals belong to this clash.

Maresca has a strong attacking third. Be it Nicolas Jackson or Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho or Pedro Neto, Joao Felix or Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke or even Mykhailo Mudryk, Maresca has a young and pacey attacking setup at his disposal. Some fine-tuning might help them become even more dangerous as the season approaches the mid-point.