Joe Cole believes Joao Felix has given Enzo Maresca a ‘headache’ with his performance in Chelsea’s 8-0 win against Noah in the Conference League on Thursday evening.
Chelsea were 6-0 ahead by half time against the Armenian side at Stamford Bridge with Felix scoring twice, while Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Axel Disasi and Mykhailo Mudryk also found the net.
Christopher Nkunku struck twice in the second half to complete Chelsea’s 8-0 win which has kept them top of the Conference League table on goal difference.
Felix is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season, making just eight appearances as a substitute so far.
And the Portugal international, who was signed for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in the summer, was left on the bench in United’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend.
But speaking after Chelsea’s victory over Noah, Cole believes Felix has made a strong case to start in the Premier League match against Arsenal this Sunday.
‘I thought he was brilliant, he applied himself,’ Cole said on TNT Sports.
‘You have to remember with Joao, he was a £100 million player at some point, his career has obviously gone here, there and everywhere but he’s very, very talented, he wants to make Chelsea his home.
‘When he first came to the club I was blown away by how good his movement was. This is what he needs to take his game to the next level, finishing with that kind of composure.
‘Once he can bring this to his game he can be a 20, 25-goal a season man.
‘Everything else in his game is on point. He’s great on the half turn, he can give you an assist, he’s busy.
‘He could be forgiven for feeling sorry for himself because he should be a starter with his quality. He’s given the manager a headache.
‘They’ve got a huge squad, when you go to a big club now it’s going to be stacked with top, top players and you have to perform to your level and more, week in, week out, to play. And when you don’t you find yourself out of the side. But it seems like he’s showing a great attitude and that can only be good for the group.’
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