Chelsea signed Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid in January, and the Portuguese international has done reasonably well at his new club.
There have been rumours that Chelsea could look to sign Joao Felix permanently. But the reported asking price has forced them to consider alternatives. According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea are looking to sign the Portuguese international for another season on loan.
Such a deal will cost them £18 million in fees, and they will have to bear the player’s £250,000 a week wages as well. The 23-year-old could prove to be a key player for Chelsea next season. Felix is still adjusting to life in the Premier League, but he has shown his quality in patches.
The Blues are expected to bring in a new manager at the end of the season, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino the front-runner to take over at Stamford Bridge. The 51-year-old Argentine manager did well to nurture young players at Tottenham, and he could help Felix rediscover his form.
The Atletico Madrid attacker is more than just a goal scorer, and his overall footballing ability means that he could be a useful player for Chelsea next season. The Portuguese international is versatile enough to play anywhere across the front three. So it is hardly surprising that Chelsea want to keep him at Stamford Bridge.
Felix had fallen down the pecking order at Atletico Madrid before he decided to leave on loan. And returning to the Spanish club would not be ideal for him. Manager Diego Simeone wants the player to be sold permanently and he is unlikely to get ample game time at the Spanish club next season.
Staying at Chelsea seems like the best option for the 23-year-old attacker. Apparently, the £250,000-a-week forward is happy in London, and he is getting sufficient game time despite being benched in the last three matches by the caretaker manager Frank Lampard.
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Felix’s performances have been quite impressive overall. And if he can improve his decision-making in front of goal he could be a lethal option for Chelsea going forward. The 23-year-old was regarded as a world-class talent when he moved to Atletico Madrid. And it will be interesting to see if Mauricio Pochettino can unlock his tremendous potential and help him rediscover himself if a deal goes through.
