Diego Simeone says Joao Felix will return to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has given his verdict on Joao Felix’s future at Chelsea. The Portugal international joined us on a six-month loan deal in January.
It seems the Blues are not interested in pursuing a deal for Felxix on a permanent basis, with Mauricio Pochettino not believed to be keen on it. Simeone addressed this in his comments.
Apparently, the 51-year-old Argentine manager doesn’t want Felix at Chelsea next season. Asked if Atletico Madrid will have a place for the 23-year-old next season, Diego Simeone told Partidazo Cope, via Fabrizio Romano on Twitter:
“Joao is our player. If Chelsea don’t want to sign him as apparently Pochettino decided… he will be back here and he will be part of our team. I can work with him, I’ve no problem at all with Joao. He knows that.”
What next for Felix?
Signed for a fee of €126 million in the summer of 2019 from SL Benfica, Felix is yet to unfurl his potential at the Wanda Metropolitano. To let a player leave on loan mid-season is a big signal that things aren’t okay.
Still 23, he has a long way to go in his career and could still become one of the finest players in the world. Given how much they invested in the Portuguese, Los Colchoneros surely wouldn’t have let him join Chelsea for a cheap price.
It is not a bad call to not have Joao Felix here for next season. He showed on certain occasions that his dribbling and passing abilities can make him a big threat in the final third.
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But he lacked the finishing touch and the decision-making at times to make him a key forward. Moreover, he isn’t a natural No. 9 or a natural winger. It isn’t clear what his strongest position is, and while that is an asset, it can also be a bane at times.