Joao Felix leads Chelsea’s transfer-list training group

Joao Felix was back at Cobham on Monday morning, joining Ben Chilwell and a swarm of team-mates whose Chelsea futures hang in the balance as the London club opened an unofficial gateway to its summer sale. With Enzo Maresca and the senior back-room staff still in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup, performance coaches ran routine blood tests and cardio screening before pushing the returning group through a brisk 90-minute drill on Tuesday.

Joao Felix sets the tone for a tense pre-season

The sight of Joao Felix in a blue training kit immediately attracted the cameras, yet insiders insist his presence does not signal a tactical rethink from Maresca. The Portuguese forward remains on Chelsea’s transfer list after an underwhelming loan spell and has been instructed to keep fitness levels “tour-ready” to ease a potential move. Sources tell GOAL that Felix’s representatives have already opened dialogue with Atlético Madrid and two Saudi Pro League clubs, but a permanent switch hinges on Chelsea lowering their £45 million valuation.

Chelsea unwanted players form a sizeable cohort

Cobham staff counted “well into double figures” of unwanted players at the first session. Alongside Joao Felix were Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr, Armando Broja, David Datro Fofana, and Romelu Lukaku, whose loan at Roma officially ends this week. Each was issued an individualised programme designed to showcase match sharpness in two planned closed-door friendlies against League One opposition before the main squad flies back from the United States.

Financial imperative behind early return

Sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are under pressure to trim wages and raise funds before 30 June, the date set by Premier League profit and sustainability rules. Chelsea posted a £90 million loss last season, and clearing salaries of Joao Felix and Lukaku alone would save nearly £500,000 per week. A club source described the strategy as “proactive housekeeping,” pointing out that potential buyers want medical data and GPS reports long before negotiations reach advanced stages.

Ben Chilwell’s uncertain horizon

While Chilwell is nominally second-choice behind Marc Cucurella, his England pedigree keeps him on the radar of Manchester United and Newcastle. However, Chelsea will only sanction an exit for a fee north of £35 million. His presence at Cobham, rather than on holiday, underlines both his professionalism and the unresolved nature of his future.

Planned closed-door matches

The first friendly is pencilled in for Friday against Reading’s under-23s, with a second against Charlton next Tuesday. The fixtures allow Joao Felix to sharpen his rhythm, and scouts from Atlético and Borussia Dortmund are expected to attend. Chelsea have instructed opposition clubs to sign non-disclosure agreements to prevent footage leaking onto social media, a measure aimed at protecting market value.

How the Club World Cup distracts Maresca

Enzo Maresca’s focus remains on capturing the Club World Cup, but the Italian is receiving daily reports from his back-room analysts. Joao Felix’s sprint data, heart-rate variability, and technical metrics are being uploaded to a shared dashboard in real time. Maresca will ultimately decide who boards the flight to Japan for the official pre-season tour in late July.

Locker-room dynamics

Returning fringe players were greeted by academy prospects such as Alfie Gilchrist and Leo Castledine, who are also training early. Coaches hope the mix of hungry youngsters and shop-window veterans will foster competitive drills without the tension of full first-team politics. One staff member told The Athletic, “Felix and Chilwell have been superb with the kids—there’s no sulking, just a recognition that careers can pivot quickly.”

Potential exits and market outlook

Romelu Lukaku remains the most complex case. Negotiations with Napoli stalled over wage demands, while Saudi club Al-Hilal has cooled interest after prioritising younger forwards. Joao Felix, on the other hand, has suitors in Spain and Germany, but each wants either an initial loan or a reduced fee. Chalobah is tipped for a £15 million move to Fulham, and Broja could head to Serie A.

What success looks like for Chelsea

Privately, Chelsea hope to bank at least £150 million in sales before 1 August. Maresca then wants a streamlined 24-man squad featuring versatile, press-resistant profiles. Joao Felix, whose dribbling flair never fully connected with Mauricio Pochettino’s system, appears a luxury the new manager cannot afford.

Supporters’ perspective

Fan reaction has been mixed. Some welcome the purge as overdue after three chaotic windows, while others fear losing homegrown depth. Online polls show 62% of supporters would cash in on Chilwell if the price is right. Joao Felix divides opinion most sharply: half the respondents still believe the 24-year-old could flourish under Maresca’s positional play, while the rest view him as an expensive misfit.

Key dates on the horizon

• 28 June – First closed-door friendly (Reading U23)
• 2 July – Second closed-door friendly (Charlton)
• 15 July – Club World Cup final in the USA
• 24 July – Maresca expected to announce official tour squad
• 31 August – Premier League transfer deadline

Primary focus keyword in context

Throughout this saga, Joao Felix acts as a bellwether for Chelsea’s broader strategy. If the club can offload the gifted Portuguese forward quickly, other transfers may cascade. Conversely, a prolonged negotiation could jam financial levers and force compromises elsewhere.

Conclusion

The next few weeks will define the futures of Joao Felix, Ben Chilwell, and their fellow fringe players. For Chelsea, success is measured not only in trophies but also in balancing the books and giving Maresca a clean slate.

Opinion

In my view, Chelsea’s willingness to parade Joao Felix and Chilwell in low-key friendlies is both pragmatic and slightly ruthless. It signals a new era of data-driven asset management where sentiment bows to spreadsheets. The plan will work only if swift deals follow; otherwise, the club risks another bloated squad and frustrated manager.