When Chelsea met Leicester last Saturday, the match was not just another game but a clash of stamina, technique, and many, many fights. At the forefront of these raids? This season, Joao Felix was more than ready to show that he came to make passes but also to punch. And it is without doubt one can add ‘duel master’ to the ever-expanding list of things Felix now does.
But let’s go back in time and collect some more background data. Last season Chelsea had a wealth of young talent, but they didn’t have that edge, that hunger, that “let’s go out there and take it” attitude. Jump to the present, and under Enzo Maresa’s unyielding pressure, this entire team is not just playing—they are fighting for the win. We need to look at what happened, why Joao Felix is now the driving force, and how the Leicester manager lost more than a match.
A Year Ago vs. Now: What Has Changed?
The Chelsea of last year was like icing on a cake—sweet to look at but very soft in the middle. Talent? Plenty. Commitment? Meh. Of course, the more the players came to understand Pochettino’s ideas, the more they appeared indecisive, uncertain, and, if one may say so, a little afraid of getting tired.
Welcome at the end of 2024, Chelsea, a team that has changed. Some of the players that have risen include Nicolas Jackson and Moises Caicedo; they are not just here to participate; they’re here to conquer. To that add the increasing ferocity of Joao Felix and what you have is a Chelsea side that could gun down their opponents in the style of an old Western.
Joao Felix : The Duel Dynamo
Picking up from where we left off and talking about duels brings me to the man of the hour, Joao Felix. He fought on Saturday, and Felix did not just play. Unlike other players on the pitch, Felix participated and won more duels compared to the other players. They signified a Chelsea side that is no longer ashamed to venture into the trench to dirty their hands.
Joao Felix : Stats Speak Volumes
These are some of the small facts of the figures: But then, while Leicester’s El Khannouss tried to get into 16 duels, he completed just six. That, you know, is like carrying a plastic sword to an actual gladiator fight. However, when it came to the duels attempted, Chelsea’s players went on the rampage, with Felix, Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana, and Enzo Fernandez making Leicester seem like they had forgotten the meaning of competition.
The Enzo Effect
Something must be done to change this—and that seems to have been done by Enzo Maresca. He has molded a group that used to appear rather timid into true warriors. But the duels are not all; it is the appetite, the desire, and the determination to seize every opportunity to win a ball.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
This is especially so given that the Blues will come into the match after a full week and no match at all. However, if what this team showcased on Saturday is any indication, then we are in for a long haul. Finally, the duel dominance of Joao Felix is just the initial thing, and as more such ploys will add to the arsenal of Chelsea, their rivals should buckle up for fights.
So here’s a word of advice for future challengers: come with your best performance—otherwise, Joao Felix and company will teach you lessons on dueling.
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