Champions League: The Chelsea puzzle: will it leave Joao Félix out of the Champions League list?

Chelsea has thrown the house out the window in the winter market. The ‘blues’ have reached record spending, unprecedented, in January. However, the 329.5 million euros that they have spent on Enzo Fernández (121), Mukhaylo Mudryk (70), Benoit Badiahshile (38), Noni Madueke (35), Malo Gusto (30), Andrey Santos (12.5 ), David Datro Fofana (12) and Joao Félix (on loan)…

An ambitious transfer policy that has become a puzzle for Graham Potter. Borussia Dortmund awaits him in the round of 16 and Chelsea will only be able to register three of the newcomers for the second part of the Champions League.

The decision is also urgent. You must announce it before midnight: “Before the round of 16, clubs can register a maximum of three new players before 00:00 on February 2”reads the UEFA regulation.

The million dollar question is: What will Chelsea do? What would you do? Which three players would you choose? We try to analyze it below:

Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea)

The most expensive signing in the history of Chelsea and the Premier League (121 million) has ‘assured place’ in Chelsea’s Champions League list. And not only for what it has cost. Your contest seems fundamental in a midfielder who has seen Jorginho leave for Arsenal and who still does not have the injured Kanté. His role of ‘box-to-box’ adapts perfectly to ‘football’, although we will see if he ends up establishing himself as a pivot or inside. His companions will depend on it: Kovavic and Zakaria play a position with the young Gallagher and Chukwuemeka.

Mykhailo Mudryk

The signing of the Ukrainian, valued at 70 million fixed, could go close to 100 kilos. The former Shakhtar player has an advantage in favor of his registration: he covers a specific role as a band player that Chelsea does not have in excess of. His courage, overflow and ability to strike also play in his favor, as he demonstrated from his debut against Liverpool (0-0). In addition, he happens to be one of the fastest players on the ‘planet’: It reaches 36 km/h top speed.

joao felix

The inscription of the player on loan from Atlético is on the wire. Against him plays, precisely, the fact of being the only winter signing that does not belong to Chelsea. It should be remembered that the ‘blues’ do not have a purchase option. Too He fulfills a role, that of second striker, who has numerous suitors: Mount, Havertz, the injured Pulisic, even Sterling… His career in London did not start well – he ended up sent off on his debut against Fulham – and staying out of the Champions League would be a hard setback. It is true that, due to quality, it would seem a ‘deadly sin’ for Chelsea to leave him out. Besides, it could act as a ‘false 9’ in the face of the poor performance of ‘Auba’.

Benoit Badiashile

One of the great competitors that Joao Félix will find in this fight for one of the three free places that Chelsea has for the Champions League. The former Monaco central defender, left-handed, fell to his feet at Stamford Bridge. In fact, He has been a starter in the last two Premier League games, against Crystal Palace (1-0) and Liverpool (0-0) and Chelsea in both has managed to leave a clean sheet. It is true that, If Potter has spare parts in any position, it is in the backbone: Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana… Another thing is that they offer the same guarantees.

Noni Madueke

The English winger, who came from PSV, looks like ‘discard’ meat. The English under 21 international is more of a signing for the future than for the present. Madueke, due to injuries, had barely been able to play nine games – he scored two goals – in the Netherlands this season. This left-handed, lover of the ‘slalom’, has more Champions in his boots. Looks like you’ll have to wait.

bad taste

The solution in your case is easy: your registration is completely ruled out. The reason is easy: Chelsea have signed him… but they have left him on loan at Olympique Lyon. That does not mean that he is one of the right wingers/backs with the most future on the European scene. It is a guarantee on a physical level. Tireless. He doesn’t stop raising the band over and over again and, on top of that, he has a good touch.

Andrew Santos

Another signing for the future, a priori, ‘easily’ disposable. He’s not even in London to begin with. Vasco da Gama’s ex He is being one of the most outstanding figures of the South American sub 20 that is being disputed in Colombia. Once he returns he will have to undergo a period of adaptation to Europe and, specifically, to English ‘football’. Andrey Santos stands out for his dynamism and ability to cover the field, reaching from one area to another.

david datro fofana

Another footballer who has many ballots to be ruled out… despite the fact that Chelsea have not yet found a ‘9’ guarantee. He comes from scoring 17 goals in 29 games with Molde last season, but the normal thing is that he blames Norway’s jump to the Premier. He arrived at Chelsea at the beginning of January and, having been able to play six games, he has only had minutes in one: he played 45′ in the win that City endorsed the ‘blues’ (4-0) in the FA Cup. It is true that, when he came out, his team was already trailing 3-0. It would be a surprise if he entered the Champions League list.