Joao Felix could be the man to unlock Graham Potter’s stagnant Chelsea attack when he returns from suspension this weekend.
After a serving a three-game ban for his red card on debut against Fulham, the 23-year-old is in line to start at West Ham in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Before he was sent off at Craven Cottage, Felix looked good, and manager Potter will hope he can unlock a forward line that has managed only five goals in eight games since the World Cup.
He ranked highest against Fulham for shots, dribbles and duals won in a promising display, despite being sent off in the 58th minute for a two-footed tackle on Kenny Tete.
That rash challenge cost Chelsea and ruled Felix out for a month, just a day after he had joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for a loan fee of £9.7million, plus his £5.3m wages.
Without him, Chelsea lost 2-1 and then managed just one win and one goal in their next three games.
Further big-money signings have arrived, and speedy Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk, skilful forward Noni Madueke and British record transfer signing Enzo Fernandez have been thrown into the mix.
Potter is showing belief in his new signings, introducing Benoit Badiashile into a key defensive role to impressive effect, somewhat justifying a record January spend of more than £300m.
Most of the new arrivals are about building for the future, but Felix has been brought in to make an immediate impact, arriving on a six-month deal with no option to buy included.
Potter has included him in his Champions League squad ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Badiashile.
With just 17 Premier League games left, including Felix in the Champions League squad to face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 was a must, especially given his experience in the competition with Atletico.
An average of just 1.05 goals per game means Chelsea are one of the least clinical teams in the Premier League this season, and Felix will help both in terms of chance creation and having an extra finisher on the pitch.
Felix’s remaining matches are an audition for his future as he seeks an exit from Atletico, preferably staying at Stamford Bridge.
Felix’s remaining Chelsea matches are an audition for his future as he seeks an exit from Atletico
His relationship with Atletico manager Diego Simeone remains strained and, privately, both parties blame each other for the forward’s lack of impact since joining for £113m in 2019.
Simeone’s rigid and defensive approach has worked for his teams in the past, but is not productive for Felix, who wants plenty of the ball and freedom on the pitch.
The Atletico board hope Felix’s loan in England plays out well to create a market for him this summer.
Reports in Spain this week suggested Atletico will demand a staggering £124m from Chelsea to make his loan deal permanent, but it is understood he would more likely cost £70m-£80m.
Chelsea’s hand is strengthened by an increasingly close relationship with influential super-agent Jorge Mendes, and Atletico are keen to get Felix’s £250,000-a-week wages off the books. An achievable future transfer serves as motivation for Potter to play Felix and for the versatile forward to deliver right away.
If he can help Chelsea qualify for Europe, then the club will have more cash to play with in the summer.
After spending more than £600m this season, they are taking chances with new stricter Financial Fair Play rules beginning next season.
Felix could be crucial for Chelsea in the second half of the season. This time, at the London Stadium, though, he must handle a London derby atmosphere and avoid losing his head.
