As reported by a number of reputable sources including Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has decided against making Joao Felix’s loan spell in London permanent.
The news came from a representative of his parent club Atletico Madrid, as the club’s president Enrique Cerezo spoke on the forward’s future. It is directly stated that the new manager has caused this decision as Romano reports that “Pochettino has decided”
Permanent Joao Felix Deal Rejected by Mauricio Pochettino
🚨🔵 João Félix will NOT stay at Chelsea next season. Pochettino has decided, João returns to Atléti.
“We have been informed that Poch does not count with João Félix for Chelsea. He will return here, we’ll see… we’ve nothing planned”, Atlético president Cerezo has announced. pic.twitter.com/81i7fYauWG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2023
Atletico President Confirms Return
The media were informed of the Blues’ stance on Portuguese International through some direct comments from Atletico president Cerezo: “We have been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Felix for Chelsea. He will return here.”
In regards to the 23-year-old’s future, Cerezo added, “We’ll see…we have nothing planned.”
The comments cast a shade of doubt over the forward’s immediate future, but they do confirm that his spell at Stamford Bridge is over.
Read More: Chelsea ‘Really Pushing’ for Midfield ‘Destroyer’
Pochettino’s decision was probably influenced by a number of factors, including the forward’s underwhelming spell at the club following his arrival in the winter transfer window.
Joao Felix failed to make an impression at Chelsea
Despite his mercurial talents, Felix was ultimately unable to have a positive impact on Chelsea’s misfiring front line. The forward managed to score just four goals across 20 Premier League appearances, all while failing to provide a single assist.
Throughout his spell at the Bridge, there were occasional flashes of quality, but the end product always seemed to be missing. Lacklustre finishing and under-hit passes were a common feature across his 4-month-long spell at the club, and as a result, the team appear to have decided against making his move permanent.
