Chelsea striker Joao Félix has withdrawn from the squad to face Manchester City this afternoon due to a family bereavement.
Felix is set to fly home after being granted compassionate leave by the club.
He may have been in the running to play against City at the Etihad, but just hours before the match it emerged that he is no longer available for selection.
The 25-year-old rejoined the Blues last summer on a permanent deal, having been on loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Felix has been limited to just 20 appearances in all competitions this season and has been linked with a departure this month, with several clubs said to be interested.
Speaking yesterday, Blues coach Enzo Maresca delved into the reasons for Felix’s limited playing time this season, calling it “fantastic”.
“Joao is definitely a Chelsea player,” said Maresca.
“The problem, unfortunately for Joao and Christo (Nkunku), is that the coach plays most of the games with one attacking midfielder and that is Cole Palmer.
“We have decided to play with an attacking midfielder in most games, so this is the reason why Joao and Christo fight for minutes, and not for any other reason, because they are both fantastic players, fantastic guys who work well .
‘The reason is only because most games I decide to play with an attacking midfielder in terms of balance. This is the reason.’
Asked if Felix could leave before the transfer window slammed shut, Maresca added: “I’m not saying that, I’m not saying that.”
“I’m saying I like both, but the reason they have problems is because most of the time I play with an attacking midfielder.”
Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia will also be absent from Chelsea’s 20-man squad, while Levi Colwill and Enzo Fernandez will be called up late.