So long Havertz! Enzo and Felix are Chelsea's future

Suraj Radia

• 11 Feb 2023 09:01 CST
• 2 min read

Chelsea’s new-look side showed glimpses of their potential after Joao Felix’s goal on his return to the team rounded off a promising performance from the Blues’ January signings.

Felix had a goal ruled out for offside before converting a pass from Chelsea’s record signing Enzo Fernandez, who put in a man-of-the-match display in the 1-1 draw against London rivals West Ham.

Although the result was undoubtedly disappointing given Chelsea’s dominance throughout the game, the Blues could take positive signs from the cohesion shown by a host of their new arrivals.

STUFF OF DREAMS!: Chelsea fans react to Felix display

While old problems were still on show, with Chelsea still struggling to create clear cut chances and the likes of Marc Cucurella and Kai Havertz underwhelming, Felix and Fernandez’s display provided optimism for the rest of the season.

Felix, in particular, displayed the goalscoring touch that Havertz has lacked in recent times and the on-loan Atletico Madrid man made his case for why Chelsea could consider making his move permanent in the summer.

However, another toothless display from Havertz made it just two goals in his last 13 games and the 23-year-old will have watched Felix’s display with a worried look as Chelsea got a glimpse into what their future could look like – potentially without the German forward.

Potter in danger of turning Chelsea into Brighton

Graham Potter opted to start with Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk in addition to Felix and Fernandez and the injection of fresh faces was evident in Chelsea’s first-half display.

But, the Blues are still yet to solve their attacking woes having scored just 23 goals in 22 games – nine less than anyone else in the top half of the Premier League.

EXIT?: Chelsea line up target to replace Potter

The performance was reminiscent of Potter’s former Brighton team, where the Seagulls often dominated possession and xG yet failed to create or convert any chances and turn draws into wins.

Only Newcastle and Brentford have drawn more games than Chelsea this season and the Blues have only won twice in their last 13 Premier League games, raising questions about Potter’s future.

Chelsea’s exuberant spending will have piled the pressure on Potter and, with his team now looking more balanced and promising after the January spending, the Blues boss will need to get the best out of his talented squad to avoid being the latest victim in the club’s restructure.