Chelsea star pulls out of squad and flies home hours before huge Man City clash

The forward is flying home to Portugal on Saturday just hours before the 5.30pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea have granted the Portugal international compassionate leave so he can be with his family.

Felix has scored eight goals and assisted twice across all competitions for Chelsea this season.

In the top-flight, he has managed just one goal and assist, having played limited minutes since moving to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a £44.5million deal following his loan spell at Barcelona.

Felix has made just three Premier League starts this season for the Blues, playing second-fiddle to Cole Palmer in the No.10 position.

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He signed on a seven-year contract with the Blues after Chelsea captain Conor Gallagher moved in the other direction for £35m to the Spanish capital.

Felix had a mixed spell last season at Barcelona, scoring 10 goals and assisting six across all competitions.

At Atletico Madrid, he netted 34 goals and assisted 18 in 131 games, but he has not quite lived up to his reputation at Chelsea.

The 25-year-old has been linked with a January transfer amid his lack of game time at Stamford Bridge.

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Speaking on Friday, manager Enzo Maresca admitted there is little room for Felix - or Christopher Nkunku - in the Blues starting XI when England superstar Palmer is available.

"Joao Felix is a Chelsea player - a top player," Maresca said when asked about transfer rumours.

"The problem for Joao [Felix] and Christopher Nkunku, I choose to play most of the games with one attacking midfielder, Palmer.

"They struggle to get minutes, not for any different reasons. They are top players."

Pressed on whether this could result in Felix and Nkunku leaving, Maresca responded: "I'm not saying that. I'm saying that I like both.

"But the reason why they struggle [for minutes] is because most of the time I play with one attacking midfielder."

Chelsea can look to close the gap on Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Liverpool with a win at the Etihad on Saturday evening.

Man City took all three points in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season in a 2-0 victory through goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic.

A win could see Man City leapfrog Chelsea in the table, moving into fourth.