Chelsea have slipped into a financial debacle after their new loan signing from Atletico Madrid Joao Felix bagged a red card on his debut.
It is indeed difficult times for the Blues and Graham Potter will definitely come under immense pressure after the West London Derby defeat.
It was a flattering win for Fulham at Craven Cottage. They had played second fiddle to the Blues, save the pockets of individual blunders that soiled the game for the Blues.
It was a pretty straight game for Chelsea. Joao Felix was definitely tipped to win the man-of-match award. He was brilliant all through and added enough momentum to the Chelsea attack.
But he lacks support, and the Blues’ ended up struggling upfront and wasting clear cut chances.
While putting up an impressive performance for the club on his debut, Joao Felix suddenly turned into a nightmare for the Blues. In the 53rd minute, he launched a reckless high challenge on Fulham defender Kenny Tete, with his studs up.
The referee pulled out straight red, and the 23-year-old was issued the marching order to leave the pitch. The Blues were reduced to 10 men.
Meanwhile, before Joao Felix’s red card, Chelsea have canceled out Willian’s first half strike with an early goal in the second half to level the scores at 1-1
Fulham effectively picked on the void created by Joao Felix’s red card to return to the lead in the 73rd minute courtesy of Vinicius’ header.
Chelsea has now managed just one win in eight matches, but the Blues have much worries than the shock defeat to their lucky West London neighbours.
Joao Felix’s card is an additional financial burden to the Blues. They have signed the Portuguese star on loan for £9million.
In each Premier League game played by Joao Felix, the Blues will pay £714,286. This is in addition to the £6million wages of the player which they agree to pay.
Joao Felix just have few months because he has just a season to spend at the club and there is no buy option attached to the deal.
It is a double loss for the Blues. His red card will reportedly cost Chelsea a whopping £2.1m, almost 50 per cent of his wages.
His loan amount was £9miion. Chelsea will now be forced to pay additional £2.1million. Besides he will miss three games, with over half of the season’s games played already.
It is Indeed difficult times for Graham Potter. After playing down the boos by the fans after the 4-0 FA Cup loss to City, Potter finally admitted being frustrated after the defeat to Fulham.
Joao Felix compounded the woes with his reckless tackle on Tete. While his red card contributed to the defeat, plunging the team into a financial debacle was not worth it.
