Ornstein: Chelsea make permanent move for forward after Barcelona loan stint | OneFootball

Chelsea Secure Joao Felix Transfer in Big-Name Signing from Atletico Madrid

Chelsea have finalised a deal with Atletico Madrid for the permanent acquisition of Portuguese star forward Joao Felix. This move comes after months of negotiation and speculation, as reported by David Ornstein in The Athletic.

Having initially joined Chelsea on loan during the 2022-23 season, Felix impressed during his spell despite the team’s struggles. The 24-year-old’s previous stint at the club saw him net four goals in 20 appearances, showcasing glimpses of the brilliance that led Atletico to sign him for €126 million from Benfica back in 2019. Now, with the new contract set, Chelsea fans are eager to see whether Felix can thrive on a permanent basis at Stamford Bridge.

Joao Felix’s Journey to Stamford Bridge

Joao Felix’s transfer marks a critical juncture for both the player and Chelsea. Since leaving Atletico for a brief loan to Barcelona, Felix has continued to demonstrate his worth, recording 10 goals and six assists in 44 matches for the Catalan club last season. Nevertheless, his return to Atletico was always going to be short-lived.

The agreement with Chelsea was confirmed just hours after Felix was named in Atletico’s travelling squad for their opening La Liga fixture against Villarreal. However, his future in Spain was never certain, particularly after his mixed performances in La Liga and his desire to seek fresh opportunities elsewhere.

According to The Athletic, the decision for Chelsea to pursue Felix on a permanent deal was partly influenced by the breakdown in negotiations for Atletico’s young striker, Samu Omorodion, who was also linked with a move to West London. Despite this setback, Chelsea’s determination to secure Felix’s signature prevailed.

The six-year deal agreed between the clubs not only gives Chelsea the long-term option they’ve been seeking in attack, but it also includes an additional 12-month extension, ensuring Felix could be a key player for the club well into his prime. Felix will now become Chelsea’s ninth signing of the summer, joining the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as part of their summer recruitment drive.

What Does Joao Felix Bring to Chelsea?

Chelsea’s pursuit of Felix underscores their ambition to rebuild their attacking line, which struggled at times last season. His pace, flair, and vision are qualities Chelsea hope will inject more creativity and unpredictability into their attack.

With Chelsea keen to develop a more dynamic offensive unit, Felix could complement players like Raheem Sterling, who himself recently admitted that the chaotic nature of Chelsea’s current situation had impacted his form. Chelsea’s issues in the final third have been well documented, and Felix’s arrival will be seen as a solution to those concerns. The expectation is that he will offer both goals and assists, but crucially, he will provide the kind of positional intelligence that Chelsea’s frontline has been lacking.

Felix’s ability to operate both centrally and on the wing offers manager Mauricio Pochettino tactical flexibility, and there is optimism that his partnership with fellow forwards will bring the kind of cutting edge Chelsea need to improve on last season’s struggles.

Photo: IMAGO

Implications for Atletico Madrid

For Atletico Madrid, the sale of Joao Felix marks the end of a complex relationship. Signed in 2019 as one of the world’s most promising young talents, Felix never fully settled under Diego Simeone’s management. While moments of brilliance were on display, consistency eluded him, and injuries hampered his progress.

Atletico, who will receive a significant fee for Felix, can now reinvest in their squad. The Spanish club has been proactive in recent transfer windows, and while losing Felix might feel like a blow to their attacking options, they appear focused on maintaining their competitive edge both in La Liga and European competitions.

It’s worth noting that both clubs are continuing talks over the potential transfer of Conor Gallagher, another sign that Chelsea and Atletico Madrid’s relationship in the transfer market remains fluid. Gallagher’s future could be the next significant development between these two football giants.

Challenges Ahead for Chelsea

Despite the excitement surrounding Felix’s arrival, Chelsea are not without their challenges. The Blues opened their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, raising immediate concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level. As they prepare for their Conference League campaign, Felix’s arrival is a positive signal, but Chelsea’s issues run deeper than just one player.

Defensive solidity, squad chemistry, and overall consistency remain issues for Mauricio Pochettino to address. While Felix’s signing represents a significant boost, the weight of expectation on his shoulders will be immense.

Chelsea’s supporters will be hoping that Felix, with his experience and ability, can spearhead a revival at Stamford Bridge. Still, the success of his move will ultimately depend on whether Chelsea can solve their deeper structural problems.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From the perspective of many Chelsea fans, this deal, while exciting, feels like a gamble. Joao Felix, despite his undeniable talent, has never truly delivered on his promise at Atletico Madrid. His loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona showed flashes of brilliance, but he’s still yet to prove himself as a consistent performer at the elite level. Six goals in 20 games last season and just four during his previous stint at Chelsea suggest that Felix, though skilled, still has a lot to prove.

There’s concern amongst some fans that Chelsea’s transfer policy remains scattergun. Signing Felix after missing out on Omorodion feels like another example of the club reacting rather than planning. With so many new arrivals this summer, it’s unclear whether Felix will be able to integrate seamlessly into the squad or if he’ll struggle to adapt, like many signings before him. The defeat to Manchester City also underlines that Chelsea’s problems go beyond individual quality, with the need for squad cohesion more urgent than ever.

In the long run, if Felix succeeds, this will be hailed as a masterstroke. But right now, there’s an air of scepticism—can Felix truly live up to his price tag and expectations? Or will Chelsea’s spending spree end up falling short once again?