Why Chelsea star Joao Felix was forced to pull out of squad for Man City clash
Why Chelsea star Joao Felix was forced to pull out of squad for Man City clash
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Chelsea were forced to make a late change to their squad ahead of their Premier League game against Manchester City with Joao Felix forced to pull out. The Portugal international looked set to feature against the champions but was afforded compassionate leave and has flown home following a family bereavement.
![[LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Joao Felix of Chelsea leaves the tunnel for a pitch inspection, while holding a match ball prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and AFC Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on January 14, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235955117-de12.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Felix has played only a bit part role so far this season following his return to Chelsea for his second spell at the club and has been linked with a loan move to AC Milan. Maresca, meanwhile, has rallied around Pep Guardiola and said the struggling Manchester City boss needs support after a run of two wins in seven European games left City’s Champions League knockout phase hopes under threat.
Chelsea visit the champions who are fifth in the standings, trailing Maresca’s side in fourth by two points, after a dismal run in the lead-up to Christmas. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
Up Next. City are yet to fully emerge from their surprise slump and a 4-2 defeat at Paris St Germain on Wednesday, when they squandered a two-goal lead, has left them outside of the Champions League’s playoff places with one-game of the league phase remaining.
‘Pep is strong enough in this kind of thing. But for sure, like any human being, he needs support in this moment, for the last eight or nine years, they were always on top,’ Maresca told reporters on Friday. City are 25th in the Champions League standings and need to finish in the top 24 in order to keep their hopes alive. Guardiola has never failed to reach the competition’s knockout stage in his managerial career.
