“I said to my family and friends” – Joao Felix opens up on his Chelsea departure in 2023 | OneFootball

“I said to my family and friends” – Joao Felix opens up on his Chelsea departure in 2023 | OneFootball

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the Chelsea News

·24 October 2024

“I said to my family and friends” – Joao Felix opens up on his Chelsea departure in 2023

Article image:“I said to my family and friends” – Joao Felix opens up on his Chelsea departure in 2023

Joao Felix has revealed what he told his friends and family after his loan spell at Chelsea during the 2022/203 campaign ended.

Felix signed for the Blues on a permanent deal in the summer from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £44.5m and penned a seven year contract.


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The 24-year-old has had to be patient so far this season and despite scoring on his debut in the 6-2 win against Wolves, he’s yet to start a Premier League game.

Felix reveals what he told friends and family after leaving Chelsea

Felix was an unused substitute against Liverpool, the second time that’s happened in the league this season and it was a decision Pat Nevin couldn’t get his head round.

The cup competitions have provided Felix with his main opportunities so far this campaign, and he will be hoping to add to his one goal against Panathinaikos on Thursday.

The game will likely see both Felix and Christopher Nkunku start, with the Portugal international recently revealing why it was so easy to play with the Frenchman.

Article image:“I said to my family and friends” – Joao Felix opens up on his Chelsea departure in 2023

Felix has struggled to make an impact at Chelsea so far this season. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Chelsea fans are still waiting to see the best of Felix and having had a difficult time at Atletico, his move to Stamford Bridge feels like a fresh start and an opportunity to get his career back on track.

Felix is familiar with the club having spent time on loan during the 2022/2023 season in which Chelsea finished 12th, although he only managed to score four goals.

However, speaking ahead of the Panathinaikos game he revealed he told his friends and family he wanted to return to England one day.

“When I left Chelsea in 2023, I said to my family and friends that for sure I would come back to Premier League,” he told the pre-match press conference.

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“I loved the time that I spent at the club previously. I enjoyed the Premier League, the players and the whole environment. I always wanted to come back, it happened a little earlier than I expected but I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea.”

There’s fierce competition for places in Chelsea’s attack and Felix will need to put in a good performance on Thursday night to give Maresca something to think about ahead of Sunday’s game against Newcastle.

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