CHELSEA, England – Rewind to December 2022, when Joao Felix assisted Portugal in advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals. Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has now been acquired by Chelsea on a season-long loan for a cost of 11 million euros (£9.7 million). 

Felix has also agreed to another one-year deal that will keep him with Atletico until June 2027.

With Christian Pulisic sidelined for a few months due to injury, Chelsea’s manager Graham Potter claimed that injuries have “sharpened” Chelsea’s emphasis in their pursuit of the Portugal international.

He’s been aware of the potential transaction for some time, but perhaps their wounds have made them more aware of it, as Potter emphasized how well the recently acquired plays. “Regardless of age, he is well seasoned as an athlete, and it has helped all of us a little. Whatever the case, it’s nice to have him here and that he’s already been working out today is great for us. I’m looking forward to working with him on the latter third of the pitch because I know he will make a significant difference there.”

Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked to the 23-year-old, whose wages Chelsea will fully cover till the end of the season as part of the loan agreement.

It is quite obvious that this team is one of if not the best in the world. 

“I’m overjoyed to be here and am especially eager to play at Stamford Bridge. I want to help the team accomplish its objectives.”

Felix, who was 19 at the time and was purchased by Atletico for £113 million from Benfica, became the fifth-most expensive footballer in history. 

He has since scored 34 goals and supplied 18 assists in 131 games across all competitions. 

Felix participated in the World Cup for Portugal, where he scored one goal in five games to assist his team reach the quarterfinals.

In his first two outings for Atletico, he scored in a 2-0 win over Elche on December 29 and participated in the final 73 minutes of Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Barcelona. 

Felix has five goals and three assists in 20 appearances this season for Atletico. 

After Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, and Andrey Santos, he joined Chelsea in the January transfer window. His new team is positioned 10th in the Premier League, 10 points off the top four. 

They are also out of both cup competitions as a result of their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup last weekend.

Six losses in nine games across all competitions, but manager Graham Potter, who took over for Thomas Tuchel in September, still has the backing of the club’s board. 

Problems won’t be solved by one person alone

Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, N’Golo Kante, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are just a few of the key players who have been sidelined for Chelsea this season due to injury, which has not helped the team’s inconsistent performance. 

Pulisic and Raheem Sterling, two forwards who were forced to leave last week’s Premier League home loss to Manchester City due to injuries, are expected to join them.

Raheem Sterling should be ready in a few months, according to Potter, while Christian Pulisic isn’t quite there yet. 

Felix joined his new teammates for practice on Wednesday, but the club is unsure if he will be cleared in time to make his Premier League debut against Fulham on Thursday. 

Potter wants to take some of the pressure off of his new addition by emphasizing that Felix cannot improve the team’s performance by himself. 

The former Brighton manager continued, “We have to fix the team; there isn’t just one guy who can cure problems. We have to attack better.”