JOAO FELIX’S red card could cost Chelsea almost £3million.
The Atletico Madrid loanee made his Blues debut against Fulham a day after his move was confirmed.
He showed some positive signs but his performance was overshadowed by his sending off just before the hour mark.
Felix received a straight red card for diving in high on Fulham defender Kenny Tete.
Fulham took advantage of the extra man as Carlos Vinicius headed in a winner and the dismissal will have greater ramifications for Blues.
That’s because Felix will miss the next three games through suspension and will not be available until Chelsea play West Ham a month from now.
And since Felix earns £250,000-a-week, Chelsea will have to pay the striker £1m while he sits out.
The Blues also paid Atletico Madrid a loan fee of £9m, which means the club has paid £1.8m for a month of inaction.
That brings the total outlay to almost £3m, and means Graham Potter’s options in attack are limited once again.
To make matters even worse, Chelsea are on their worst run in 12 games having picked up just one win in ten league games.
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And with games against Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Fulham up next, they could have done with a player of Felix’s quality.
Speaking to BBC Sport about Felix’s sending off, Potter said: “Joao Felix was fantastic in the game before that [the sending off], you could see his quality. He was looking dangerous throughout.
“The challenge is unfortunate. It is a bit of a forward’s challenge.
“I don’t think there was too much malice in it and it is an unfortunate action and we are going to lose him now.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
