Smart or risky move?
Chelsea have completed their fourth signing of the January transfer window and in the process confused a number of football fans across the World. On Wednesday, the Stamford Bridge side confirmed that they had signed Atlético Madrid forward João Félix on loan, for a reportedly large sum of money and with no option to buy the 23-year-old permanently at the end of the season. So why have the English giants signed the young forward as little more than a stop-gap in their side?
Why have Chelsea loaned Félix for the season?
Prior to Félix’s move to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans would have been forgiven for wondering why the club was signing a player in a position that was already well stocked in Graham Potter’s squad. Aside from the Portugal international, the Premier League giants have three No.9s in the form of Armando Broja, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Datro Fofana. As well as four wide forwards in Christian Pulisic, Raheem Sterling, Hakim Ziyech and Kai Havertz. So why did they need another forward player?
Well, at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon Potter went some way to explaining why the club had been so desperate to sign Félix. “Christian [Pulisic] is a couple of months we think,” confirmed the Chelsea manager. “Raheem [Sterling] is less, hopefully less than that.” which confirms that that of the six forward players mentioned, two now join Broja on the long-term injury list. And perhaps underlines the club’s need for more forward players.
Why have Atlético Madrid allowed Félix to leave?
With a market value of €50 million, it does seem odd that Atlético would allow not only a promising player in their squad to leave the club but also one that is worth more in terms of market value than any other player in the squad. But there may also be some method to the madness in letting Félix place his football elsewhere for the next four months.
Most valuable players in LaLiga
Much of the clamour to move Félix on comes down to the fact that he simply doesn’t fit into Diego Simeone’s squad and has been struggling to show what he can do for some time. To date, the forward has only managed five goals and three assists this season in a team that is famously defensive and dogged. As such, a move to a bigger club and more attacking lead could end up showcasing the real talent Félix has.
Luis Enrique has reportedly been lined up to replace Diego Simeone as Atlético manager at the end of this season pic.twitter.com/rG5fhWMMHL
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) January 10, 2023
Crucially, the Spanish club have extended the forward’s contract by a further year. Which means that when Félix does return to La Liga in the summer, he may well be an in-demand talent that can garner a sizable sum of money for the capital club. Or, as some reports in Spain have suggested, Félix may return to his parent club only to find a new manager in charge. And one that will be willing to get the best out of him on the pitch.
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