Mikel baffled by lack of minutes for “fantastic player” and urges Maresca to “find a solution” | OneFootball

John Obi Mikel can’t understand why Joao Felix isn’t getting more game time following Chelsea’s recent struggles in the Premier League.

The Blues are currently on a four game winless run and followed up back to back defeats against Fulham and Ipswich with a draw against Crystal Palace last Saturday.

Despite taking just two points from the last 12 available and only scoring two goals in the last four matches the Blues remain in the top four although the gap to Newcastle in fifth is just one point.

Mikel baffled by lack of minutes for Felix

During this four game run Enzo Maresca’s use of his squad has been questioned, particularly in regards to his substitutions and the Italian was involved in an exchange with a journalist on the matter following the draw at Selhurst Park.

Chelsea’s attack hasn’t been fully firing in recent weeks, but Maresca seems reluctant to make the most of his bench despite the seemingly obvious need to switch things up.

Felix has started just three Premier League games this season. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Christopher Nkunku and Felix both started against Ipswich but found themselves back on the bench against Palace where the duo were surprisingly unused substitutes.

Mikel can’t understand the lack of minutes for Felix and has urged Maresca to bring the Portugal international into the side.

“I keep thinking why has Joao Felix not been playing? He’s been frozen out, he’s not getting a kick,” he told his Obi One Podcast.

“Listen, I understand he plays sometimes in the same position as Cole Palmer and he doesn’t find a way to get him into the team or bring him on because he doesn’t want to bring Palmer off.

“But find a solution because I think he’s a fantastic player, Joao Felix, we need to get him on the pitch and start playing.

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“I think he is going to help the team and Enzo [Maresca] needs to find a way to make those changes that can affect the game.”

Chelsea paid £45m to sign Felix in the summer but the 25-year-old has been used sparingly in the Premier League where he’s started just three games, whilst he’s been left on the bench eight times.