Joao Felix aims subtle dig at Chelsea after failed transfer as Barcelona star shines
Chelsea news as Joao Felix has revealed what he has got at Barcelona that is helping him succeed after a goal on his full debut
Joao Felix found a new club this summer after his loan at Chelsea came to an end (Image: Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Joao Felix, a former forward for Chelsea, spoke candidly about his smooth transition to Barcelona after joining the team on loan from Atletico Madrid earlier this summer. Felix, who was also on loan at Stamford Bridge for the second half of the previous season, was not retained in any capacity by the Blues.
After the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as manager, it was evident that Atleti was not part of the manager’s intentions, despite suggestions of a possible deal to be done with him that included another loan or even on a permanent move. Now that Felix is thriving under Xavi, it seems like he’s made a small jab at Chelsea.
Felix said, “Joining Barça, good for me and my family,” following his first goal for the Catalan team on Saturday night, a well-taken strike from a tight angle away to Real Betis. Here, I’m really content.” After moving to Atleti at the age of 20, the 23-year-old had made a good adjustment to his new life in London and developed an affection for his surroundings.
Chelsea was not as interested in continuing their association with him after spending around £12 million to have him from January to June. Felix struggled with consistency and finishing once again at SW6, despite his four goals and brief bursts of brilliance. These are two areas where Felix has fallen short in his short career.
Prior to his transfer, Felix had a falling out with Atleti manager Diego Simeone and had drawn interest from Manchester United and Arsenal at the same time. After a brilliant World Cup for Portugal, he once again demonstrated why he cost £111 million when he made the huge move from Benfica, but in the end, he wasn’t able to lead the team as many had hoped in a dismal Blues team.
He might have easily scored a goal and provided an assist in the first forty-five minutes of the match against Fulham, but instead he was sent out and missed the next three, which reduced the already dubious value for money. Felix’s tenure at Chelsea was almost over and appeared to be assured after Real Madrid—now managed by Frank Lampard—ousted Chelsea from the Champions League.
Despite a 2-0 aggregate deficit, he was benched for the second leg against Los Blancos and, as the season came to an end, he found himself left out of the starting lineup more and more. He was undoubtedly a breath of fresh air at times, as one of many younger players added in January, but his enormous price tag rarely seemed worth the amounts Atleti was claiming.
Felix has now joined a smoothly running team while out on loan once more. After the 5-0 victory over Betis, he remarked, “It’s easy to play on this team.” “When you have a good structure, with all players in their place and ball circulating quickly, it’s easier for goals to arrive.”
It’s not surprising that Felix has adapted to life at Camp Nou so effectively, considering the lack of structure, ball movement, goals, or even much teamwork in the Chelsea squad he was a member of. On the evening, Felix not only received all but an assist for Robert Lewandowski, but also helped his teammate score by dummying a ball from former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.
Felix doesn’t get credit for the assist, but there wasn’t much more he could have done to affect the outcome. Chelsea supporters have been clamoring for their own players to produce moments like that, but they haven’t had much success. Felix gained popularity among Chelsea supporters because they were excited to see him on the ball in an otherwise uninspired team.
Some will nostalgically recall what might have been under Felix, now that he is producing outside of west London and Pochettino is searching for a solution to his No. 10 dilemma.