Joao Felix and a filthy dribble that sent Ibrahima Konate into oblivion
Felix #Felix
Football is all about entertainment and despite struggling for an end product while at Chelsea, Joao Felix has us all glued to our TV screens.
Chelsea’s goalless draw with Liverpool freakishly mirrored their previous encounter at Anfield, which also fell flat in a goalscoring sense.
Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to deal with Chelsea’s technicians in between the lines, but their finishing so often let them down. Felix in particular was someone who grabbed everyone’s attention on the night.
Despite being guilty of wasting a chance or two, his dribbling was absolutely box office. Stamford Bridge has been lucky enough to house some of the Premier League’s greatest entertainers over the years and Felix is their latest offering.
From Eden Hazard to Gianfranco Zola, Chelsea just seem to have a knack for an electric dribbler. Felix leaving Ibrahima Konate for dead had to be our favourite moment from their latest match.
The 23-year-old completed a total of five dribbles and his outrageous run against Konate had the French defender questioning what day it is.
Felix was given a license to run at the Liverpool backline as he had the freedom of Stamford Bridge in the middle. Fabinho was sprinting back into position and ended up having a front-row seat to Konate’s humiliation.
What makes the diminutive Portuguese playmaker so difficult to contain is that he can spring off either foot. He manages to toy with Konate’s momentum until he ultimately leaves him on his backside.
The slick sprinkle of class didn’t result in a goal, but it certainly deserved to. Even Ronaldinho would have been proud of this one.
When the 23-year-old is able to play with freedom, his natural ability shines through. While he only has two goals to show for his Chelsea career so far, he has brought plenty of entertainment value.
“The position I play, and the way we play at Chelsea is different to Atletico,” Felix told ELEVEN Sports Portugal in February. “Clearly I have more freedom to put my football into practice, to be at my best to help the team. I feel good playing here. It’s just a matter of getting results and it will be perfect.
“Chelsea is a team who likes to attack, who likes to have the ball, who likes to dominate the game, so that’s the game I like to play. I feel very free to play here, to play as I like. I’m loving it.
“When I left Atletico, I thought it was good for me and for them. So I think it was the perfect deal. So I think it’s important for me, this loan, and I’m very happy to play here.”
Despite the lack of end product so far, there is still the feeling that Felix could be a star in the Premier League. His natural ability and technical skills still shine through in each match he plays.
By Ben Stewart.
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