Paul Merson's Bold Prediction on Joao Felix and Chelsea's Starting Line-up

Paul Merson has confidently predicted that Joao Felix will eventually prove to be a major acquisition for Chelsea, despite his lackluster initial performances for the club.

On Wednesday, Felix sealed his return to Stamford Bridge from Atletico Madrid in a transfer worth around £44.5million.

The announcement occurred soon after Conor Gallagher completed his much-anticipated move from Chelsea to the La Liga giants for £33m

Felix’s return has proved somewhat divisive as the forward, the fourth-most expensive player of all-time, has shown flashes of quality throughout his career but has lacked the numbers to back it up.

This was highlighted during his short loan spell in west London in the second-half of the 2022/23 season, where the Portugal international scored just four goals in 20 appearances and was notably sent off on his debut.

However, Arsenal legend Merson, a boyhood Chelsea fan, seemed dismissive of Felix’s shortcomings and hailed the arrival of the 24-year-old on Twitter.

He posted: ‘Hopefully Felix plays as well as he did before for us! Will be a big signing.’

There has been plenty of debate over where Felix will play however, given that Stamford Bridge is now overflowing with forwards and attacking midfielders.

Merson has revealed what he would do if he were in Enzo Maresca’s shoes, adding: ‘Felix behind [Nicolas] Jackson, will create a lot of chances for Jackson which is what we need.

‘[Cole] Palmer and [Christopher] Nkunku either side.’

But even that formation means star player Palmer would be out of position on the right, while another new signing Pedro Neto misses out entirely, as do Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, while a midfielder like Enzo Fernandez or Romeo Lavia would have to be dropped.

Maresca dropped a hint at how he intends to play Felix who could make his second debut at Wolves on Sunday: ‘I think the good thing about Joao is he can play in different positions with us. He can play inside, he can play as a No.9, he can play outside.

‘Pedro can play right winger, he can play left winger. Joao can play as an attacking midfielder, No.9, as a winger. And we have many games.’

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