€100m for Joao Felix! Why Chelsea MUST look elsewhere

James Shearman

• Updated: 13 Apr 2023 19:59 BST
• 3 min read

Joao Felix has been Chelsea's best attacking player since he joined on loan in the January transfer window - but that's not saying much.

While the 23-year-old has excited Blues fans more than most in recent weeks, he has only managed to score two goals in 10 Premier League games.

And it's goals that Frank Lampard's side are sorely lacking, not flicks and tricks, nice touches or dribbles.

READ MORE: Kepa ‘big money’ comment highlights Chelsea transfer blunder

It's true that a Chelsea legend, Eden Hazard, was applauded for all of those, but he regularly contributed to goals as well.

That explains why Hazard cost Real Madrid upwards of €100 million, and why Chelsea should steer clear of Felix for as long as his asking price is in that ballpark.

Not to mention, the west London club have already agreed to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig in the summer window.

Insert Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount into the equation, and the Blues have more than enough depth in the attacking midfield/winger positions.

What do Chelsea need?

There are three key areas that Chelsea need to strengthen in the forthcoming transfer window: goalkeeper, defensive midfield and striker.

Having broken records in an incredible 2020-21 Champions League campaign, Edouard Mendy has done nothing but damage his reputation ever since.

Kepa Arrizabalaga, on the other hand, has never shown that he has what it takes to cement his place as Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper for years to come.

The Blues don't need the next Petr Cech, or even Thibaut Courtois, but an above average Premier League goalkeeper is a prerequisite for having any aspirations of lifting the title.

The next position on the Chelsea hierarchy's agenda should be defensive midfield. Contrary to popular belief, N'Golo Kante has never been that man.

Not only would the Blues benefit from a 'number six' that shields the defence, but freeing up Enzo Fernandez would do wonders for the team's current creativity crisis.

Last but not least, signing a top striker would lift this Chelsea squad's ceiling through the roof.

Aforementioned, the Blues don't create enough. But the chances that are created are scuppered at an alarming rate.

Instead of Felix, the west London club should be targeting an out-and-out striker whose sole focus is to score goals, as old-fashioned as that sounds.

Similar to the goalkeeper situation, they don't need the next Didier Drogba, or even Diego Costa, but someone who can score 15 goals in a 38-game campaign is a must going forward.