‘I feel good playing here’: Joao Felix hints he may STAY at Chelsea – despite no option to buy after his loan spell – as the £80m striker speaks of the ‘freedom’ that Graham Potter offers him
- Joao Felix came to Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid in January
- The 23-year-old scored his first goal since joining the club earlier this month
- The attacker has now hinted that he would like to stay at Stamford Bridge
Joao Felix has suggested he could stay at Chelsea beyond the end of his loan spell as he enjoys the ‘freedom’ afforded to him at Stamford Bridge.
Felix joined West London in January on an £11 million loan deal from Atletico Madrid and has had a mixed start at the club.
He was sent off on his debut against Fulham, missing three games with the resulting suspension, but has looked good since returning to the side and scoring his first goal for the club against West Ham earlier this month.
Speak against Eleven Portugal, Felix said: “The position I play and the way we play at Chelsea is different from Atletico. I obviously have more freedom to practice my football, to be at my best to help the team.”
“I feel good to play here. It’s just a matter of getting results and then everything will be fine.’
Joao Felix has hinted he may stay at Chelsea after the end of his loan spell at the club
He praised the ‘freedom’ that Graham Potter had given him, despite a poor run of recent results for the Blues
The Blues have won just once in seven games since Felix’s debut. They have fallen to 10th in the league and face a tough battle in the Champions League after losing the first leg of their last 16 game 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Atletico are fourth in La Liga without the 23-year-old. He had a difficult relationship with manager Diego Simeone in Madrid, he reports in the newspaper Evening Standard suggest Chelsea could sign the striker permanently if Atleti can earn back £80 million of the £113 million they paid for him in 2019.
Chelsea travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday for a match that could be vital for Potter following the club’s worrying recent form. Despite handling a plethora of attacking talent following their £300 million splurge, the Blues have struggled to score goals, losing to Southampton in their final game.
Spurs have struggled for consistency this season but are currently fourth after beating West Ham 2-0 in their last game.
Ahead of Sunday, the Chelsea boss said: “(We need a strong performance. We need three points. It’s a game we’re also looking forward to. Training and response have been really good.
“We have discussed with individuals and as a group how to attack against Tottenham. It’s a team that doesn’t reveal much, defends deeply, we have to think about that.’
Felix scored his first goal for the club earlier this month, but Chelsea have won just once since his arrival, being beaten by Southampton last week
It is believed that Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid would let Felix go for the right fee
