Chelsea have reportedly begun negotiations over a permanent move for Joao Felix.
What’s the latest on Joao Felix to Chelsea?
Speaking in an interview with GIVEMESPORT, reputable journalist Simon Phillips revealed that the Chelsea hierarchy have already initiated talks to secure the former Benfica starlet on a full-time basis.
When assessing the Portuguese’s possible future in England, the article details that the Blues are seriously considering this decision by starting “internal talks” with Atletico.
“Chelsea were obviously weighing up these decisions and having these internal talks with the hierarchy,” he said.
“It’s a decision that when they feel they’ve made the right one, they think they can push it through fairly quickly in the end and Atletico are obviously willing to negotiate with Chelsea.”
It’s also thought, per reports in Spain, that the LaLiga outfit will try to recoup as much of the £113 million they paid in 2019.
The forward has also commented on the next move and recently revealed to the LondonBluePod that he is unsure what the future holds but he knows that Chelsea is a “big European team” with a “big project.”
This has only fuelled speculation and has left fans of the 2021 Champions League winners hoping that they will see the 30-cap international’s majestical elegance at Stamford Bridge next season.
Should Chelsea permanently sign Joao Felix?
Eyebrows were raised when the Blues forked out an astonishing €11m (£9.69m) loan fee plus wages (£247.6k-per-week) to secure the Atletico Madrid prodigy until the end of the season due to the expense and the short-term nature of the deal.
But, despite the West London outfit floundering in the bottom half of the table and the subsequent sacking of Graham Potter, the 23-year-old has emerged as one of the side’s most consistent and eye-catching performers.
Felix has scored twice in eight league appearances and has registered the joint-fourth-highest shot accuracy (63%) of the Chelsea squad this season.
Once lauded as “special” by former teammate Alvaro Morata, the generational talent has showcased himself to be an imperious dribbler and key component of attacking sequences. He ranks in the top 6% across Europe’s top five leagues – when compared to his positional peers – for successful take-ons, as well as the top 7% for progressive passes and progressive carries, as per FBref.
The £44m-rated attacker also contributes to the defensive effort, as he ranks in the top 10% for tackles and the top 5% for interceptions.
Felix could potentially form a formidable forward partnership with RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku, who has already signed to become a Chelsea forward for the start of next season. The Frenchman has registered the second-highest rating of the squad (7.26) and has recorded 15 goal contributions in 18 Bundesliga appearances, as per WhoScored.
To have these frighteningly gifted magicians leading the line next season would strike fear into the hearts of all Premier League defenders and could be what is needed to get the west Londoners back on track, whoever takes the vacant role in the dugout.