Joao Felix set for instant Chelsea return at West Ham United

BY PAUL LAGAN
paul@slpmedia.co.uk

Chelsea head coach Graham Potter is set to bring Joao Felix straight back into his side for the visit to the London Stadium tomorrow, when the Blues take on West Ham United in the Premier League.

Portuguese Felix, 23, a January loan signing from Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid, lasted just 58 minutes of his debut against Fulham last month when he was unceremoniously red-carded for a needless foul, and will be hoping to get his Chelsea career up and running with a goal or two against the relegation contenders from east London.

Potter is getting to the stage where injured players are becoming available again, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be a surprise addition in midfield, where the major shake-up is required.

Thiago Silva’s form has exceeded the expectations of just about everyone at Stamford Bridge, to such an extent that he will sign a contract extension that will take him beyond his 39th birthday.

The Brazil centre-back has become the rock and, most importantly, the leader of a band of individuals. The extension will run until the end of 2024.

Chelsea fans have made midfielder Mason Mount a sort of Marmite figure in SW6. Some hate him while others love him.

But what really matters is whether co-owner Todd Boehly rates him and, at present, that is unclear.

However from a business perspective Mount, who is nowhere near the top earner in the squad, is being offered a seven-year deal.

This long length of terms is becoming known as the Chelsea contract, and is one that allows the club to spread their expenditure on a player over a long period, hopefully avoiding potential Financial Fair Play penalties.

But Mount wants a bigger slice of the pie now, comparable to his England team-mates (they do talk to each other, you know).

Chelsea will argue that the seven-year deal works out better as it gives him a guaranteed payment, although Mount may disagree.

Other midfielders looking for new deals are old hands N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic. Kante, despite his absence from the team through injury, is asking for a three-year deal but the club only want to make it two years with an option, not a guarantee, of another year.

The club are not currently looking to talk to Kovacic’s representatives over a new deal.

Chelsea Women have a weekend off. Like the men, the women are beginning to have their value in the transfer market come under scrutiny and deals are already being prepared for next season.

Two senior players expected to exit Kingsmeadow in the summer are club captain Magda Eriksson and Pernille Harder.

Harder is recovering from surgery on a hamstring injury sustained in November. Eriksson is out of favour with head coach Emma Hayes.

With the introduction of Kadeisha Buchanan this season, who has established a strong centre-back partnership with vice-skipper Millie Bright, Eriksson only featured when Hayes went for five at the back – playing as the left-sided centre-half.

Hayes has recently gone for four in defence and brought in Jess Carter as left-back. Even when changing to a three, it’s Carter who has the nod. To emphasise the situation, Hayes pointed out that Carter is and has been the club’s first choice left-back – a comment that won’t be lost on Eriksson.

This situation has led to increased speculation that Eriksson will leave Chelsea, with French side Lyon the number one choice.

Harder will also join Lyon in a double swoop.