Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Joao Felix names main factor impacting permanent Chelsea transfer after highlighting Atletico Madrid difference

Joao Felix, Chelsea, February 2023

Joao Felix has admitted there is a crucial factor impacting his desire for a permanent Chelsea transfer that the club may not be able to satisfy – even if he thinks they could.

Felix joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window. He needed a change of scenery after his Atletico career went stale. Therefore, he took the opportunity to come to the Premier League for the first time.

Chelsea are enjoying Felix’s services for the remainder of the season. What happens beyond then remains to be seen.

It has already been claimed that there would be no future for Felix back with Atletico. Hence, Chelsea might be able to buy him permanently if the price is right.

Felix will have other suitors, though, potentially including some back in La Liga. Therefore, he will have a lot to weigh up in the near future.

Now, the 23-year-old has given some indication into what his thought process will be.

“In terms of if I want to stay or not? I think in the future, nobody knows,” he said at a press conference on Monday. “I am just focused on [Tuesday]’s game [against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League].

“After that, we don’t know what will happen. Maybe I will be here. This league is amazing. Everyone in the club is so good, so maybe I could be here.”

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea flop serving as ‘warning sign’ to major targets, as dubious Boehly call backfires a second time

Joao Felix wants to be in Champions League

Speaking in view of a Champions League match, Felix admitted that playing in that competition means a lot to him.

Given that Chelsea are currently down in 10th place in the Premier League, their qualification for next season’s edition is at serious risk.

Still, Felix doesn’t think it is out of reach.

“Playing in the Champions League is always important,” he said.

“It is a competition that everyone wants to play. But now we have a lot of games to reach the Champions League through the league. It is not over.

“But yes, playing in the Champions League is important in the decision. But in the future? No one knows. Let’s see what happens.”

From his first five appearances for Chelsea, Felix has one goal to his name. During his spell with Atletico, he managed 34 goals from 131 games.

Already, he feels like he has found a club with a better suit for his style.

“Yes, I think I needed this,” he explained. “When I left Atletico, I told them it would be good for me and them. I tried to make the deal because I wanted to try something different.

“I always tried my best but sometimes it didn’t work. I had the chance to see if things would go differently.

“The league and team is different. Chelsea are a team who likes to attack and have the ball. That’s the game I like to play. I feel very free to play here as I like and, yes, I love it.”

For now, Felix will be focusing on trying to help Chelsea overturn their 1-0 deficit against Dortmund.

READ MOREChelsea, Man City target offered to Real Madrid with consequence to leave third Prem side distraught too