When it was determined that Joao Felix would return to Atletico Madrid this summer, one of Mauricio Pochettino‘s first significant transfer decisions became official.
“Yesterday (Monday), we learned that the new Chelsea manager does not (want) Felix,” Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo revealed.
Less than 24 hours have passed since we learned. When he returns, we’ll find out. Nothing specific is scheduled for us.
After moving to Stamford Bridge in January on a £9.7 million loan, Joao Felix scored four goals in 20 games in all competitions for Chelsea.
International player from Portugal adapted to his new environment swiftly and successfully, and both the club and Felix expressed their satisfaction with the forward’s choice of the English city.
Yet it was never obvious what would happen to him in the long run. His relationship with manager Diego Simeone had become strained, so he left Atletico for a new beginning. However, his valuation was always going to be a problem.
According to sources, Atletico was still refusing to sell the player permanently because they wanted £88 million, even though another loan would probably cost about the same as the one that was paid in January.
Felix’s decision to remain at Chelsea ultimately depended on Mauricio Pochettino. The newly hired head coach, who will formally begin on July 1, has already begun work on the squad’s appearance and made his first call as soon as his arrival was confirmed on Monday.
Felix was not included in Pochettino’s plans, which is a hint of who controls the team in west London. is from Argentina.
Pochettino made the ultimate decision, even if it was controversial with some, to start the Chelsea makeover and downsize the bloated team, disregarding the club’s feelings about Felix and the Portuguese’s attitude.
This summer is expected to see a lot of departures, starting with Felix. When his loan agreement ends at the end of the following month, Denis Zakaria will also return to Juventus, but the futures of players like Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are questionable.
Pochettino needs to make important calls, and he already has. Pochettino has come and is only beginning to make an impact.