“Love the skills” – Joao Felix admits he is impressed by ‘top player’ linked with Chelsea
Chelsea loanee Joao Felix has admitted he is a big fan of Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who has been linked with the Premier League club.
Kvaratskhelia, 22, has enjoyed a breakout season at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. He has scored 14 goals and provided 17 assists in 41 games across competitions.
Felix, on loan at Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, has lavished praise on Kvaratskhelia for his skillful playing style. He told The Residency:
“Top player! Love the skills.”
Reports claim that the west Londoners have made enquiries over Kvaratskhelia and his Napoli teammate Stanislav Lobotka. However, a deal for the Georgian winger won't come cheaply right after his stellar debut campaign in Naples.
Transfermarkt value Kvaratskhelia at €85 million. He joined Luciano Spalletti's side last summer from Georgian outfit Dinamo Batumi for a mere €11.5 million. The attacker has played a key role in Napoli's Serie A title triumph.
A move for Kvaratskhelia may have consequences on Felix's future at Stamford Bridge. He joined Chelsea from Atleti on loan in January until the end of the season. Hence, he is set to return to the Wanda Metropolitano as things stand. It seems unlikely the west Londoners would be willing to sign both Felix and the Georgian.
Chelsea's Kai Havertz expected to stay at the club despite an underwhelming season
Chelsea have endured a season to forget, unable to finish in the top half of the Premier League table. They have two games remaining before their miserable campaign is brought to an end.
Kai Havertz has been criticized throughout the season amid his lack of form in front of goal. The German attacker has managed nine goals in 45 games across competitions. He has been used as a false nine for the majority of this term to no avail.
There has been talk regarding his future at Stamford Bridge as he continues to struggle at the Premier League club. He was signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020 for a massive €80 million but has failed to live up to that price tag.
Despite this, transfer expert Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that he expects Havertz to stay at Chelsea. He said:
"Havertz hasn't been totally convincing in Lampard's time at the club. There's still some question as to whether he stays at Chelsea for next season. The signs I've got at the moment are that he probably will stay."
The German has impressed on the international stage but has failed to do so at the club level in west London. Sport BILD have reported that his name has come up in discussions at Bayern Munich where his former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is in charge.