Chelsea news: The Blues have been forced to deploy an interesting bench with Joao Felix pulled from the squad to face Manchester City

Joao Felix is missing from the Chelsea squad to face Man City despite being named on the bench (Image: (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))

Chelsea are in the midst of taking on Manchester City in one of their final Premier League games of the season. City’s third consecutive title was confirmed on Saturday evening after Arsenal’s defeat to Nottingham Forest which prompted Pep Guardiola to heavily rotate his team.

A total of nine changes were made from the team that beat Real Madrid earlier in the week with Ederson, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland among those rested. As for Chelsea, Kepa Arrizabalaga returned to the team after Edouard Mendy played last weekend in the most notable change when the line-ups were released.

However, another switch was then made in the build up to the clash involving Joao Felix. The Portugal international also started in the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, but was named among the substitutes.

Felix was not spotted warming up and concerns over his involvement were then confirmed to be real as he was replaced on the bench by goalkeeper Ethan Wady.

The USA international joining Mendy on the bench means that two goalkeepers are in reserve for the Blues at Etihad Stadium. Felix needing to be left out could have left Chelsea with just one less option on the bench but as Wady travelled as third-choice goalkeeper, he was brought into the squad.

The 21-year-old joined the Blues during the 2017/18 season and has most recently been on loan at Woking.

Source: football.london