Portuguese midfielder Joao Felix is coming back to Chelsea following the club’s agreement with Atlético Madrid for the player.
The operation arrives at the same time that deals may be completed for Conor Gallagher to join Atlético Madrid. These two deals have come to their completion stage.
Joao Felix Struggles at Atlético Madrid
João Felix’s ride to Atlético Madrid has been quite an interesting one. A €126 million signing in 2019 full of much promise, Felix failed to live up to expectations at Atletico Madrid.
Never really able to adapt to the more restricted and defensively-oriented system run by Diego Simeone, he began to struggle in the team.
In a little more than four seasons, Félix could manage only 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 appearances, quite tame by his standards. Inconsistent performances and run-ins with Simeone were getting increasingly frustrating on both sides, thus opening the doors for series of loan moves.
First Loan at Chelsea
Joao Felix stepped out on loan in January 2023 to channel his performance once again with Chelsea. In this loan spell during the half year at Stamford Bridge, Félix played 20 times, scoring four and laying a further six assists.
While starting to show glimpses of real quality, the impact was a little more muted. Chelsea chose not to make it permanent. However, this spell handed the player a decent amount of exposure in the Premier League besides testing the waters of English football.
Joao Felix Loan Spell at Barcelona
In the next window, Joao Felix was loaned out to Barcelona for 2023-2024. He saw a more congenial environment under Xavi Hernandez to show off his wares better.
Félix scored 10 goals and made 6 assists in 44 appearances for Barcelona, driving the team toward a top-four finish in La Liga. Based on these performances, he found a place in the Portugal squad at Euro 2024, where he played just one game but reached the quarterfinals.
Conor Gallagher Transfer Problem
Conor Gallagher’s transfer was almost an earthquake for Joao Félix returning to Chelsea. Relentless and hard pressing, reports started coming that Atlético Madrid sealed the deal at €42 million.
Chelsea, however, weren’t ready to let Atlético sign Gallagher until the Félix deal was sorted. As a matter of fact, Atletico Madrid had already filed the paper and taken photos of their new signing at the Atletico Madrid stadium.
Gallagher is training back in Chelsea, but he can still go to Madrid. Following the confirmation of Félix’s transfer, Chelsea has agreed that over the next day or two, Gallagher can travel to Madrid to close the transfer. This deal will very likely go through as Simeone really wants Gallagher on his team.
Joao Felix Back to Chelsea through a Permanent Transfer in 2024
Joao Felix will join Chelsea on a permanent deal and a contract signed until June 2030. The fee remains undisclosed. Medicals is pending at the time of this report but the move is set to be completed soon, per Fabrizio Romano. Re-signed into the Chelsea annals, a new chapter once more opens again for Félix to vie strongly for his role within the team.
What Are His Prospects?
João Felix has made a permanent move to Chelsea, so this is an interesting opportunity for both the player and the club. At just 24 years old, quite a lot of time is left before Félix actually realizes his potential.
Under Enzo Maresca’s management, he will find consistency and form which never really turned up at Atlético Madrid. Felix’s technical talent and vision, besides his versatility along the forward line, will make him an important player for Chelsea.
