In a recent interview, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca made it clear that new signings Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix will have to work hard if they want to earn a spot in the starting lineup this season. Despite much talk about the need for a striker during the summer transfer window, the Blues managed to secure deals for Sancho and Felix after missing out on Victor Osimhen.
Both Sancho and Felix arrive at Stamford Bridge looking to prove themselves, with Sancho having struggled at Manchester United before a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, and Felix spending last season at Atletico Madrid. Atletico Madrid were even willing to send their club-record signing to Barcelona for the 2024-25 season.
Since Sancho’s loan move to Chelsea was completed, Maresca has spoken highly of the England international’s qualities. However, he made it clear to both Sancho and Felix during negotiations that playing time is not guaranteed at the club.
Maresca told reporters, as quoted by The Sun: “Listen, we have Jadon, Joao, these kinds of players. Before they joined I had a chat with them and one of my messages was if you come here and don’t work properly you are not going to play. Before they arrived the message was clear. For Jadon. For Joao. But I said, ‘the reason I’m speaking to you is that I really like you. If you come here in the way that we want, we are happy. But if you come there and don’t work hard, it’s better if you don’t come’.”
As Chelsea prepare to face Bournemouth on Saturday evening, it is expected that both Sancho and Felix will be included in the squad. However, due to their lack of game time since the start of the season, it is unlikely that either player will start the match. Sancho has yet to play any minutes since August 25, while Felix has only made three appearances totaling 79 minutes for club and country. They are likely to be selected as substitutes for the upcoming game.