Joao Felix has claimed in a behind the scenes video on Chelsea’s website that he would compare himself to former Blues midfielder Deco.
The 23-year-old yesterday made his move to Stamford Bridge official, with him joining on loan until the end of the season.
It has been reported that there are currently no clauses in place that mean the club have an obligation or even an option to extend that stay right now.
Nevertheless, the Blues got the Portugal international involved in training straight away. Graham Potter has hinted he will utilise him tomorrow night against Fulham if his registration was confirmed in time.
In a video showing highlights of his first session with his new teammates, he is asked while posing for media work which player he would compare himself to.
Felix compares himself to Deco
He said: “Maybe Deco, it could be Deco.”
The former runner-up for the Balon d’Or spent two seasons at Stamford Bridge, being part of the title winning team led by Carlo Ancelotti in 2010.
He will perhaps be looked at less fondly by Blues fans due to his role in Raphinha’s eventual transfer to Barcelona, with him negotiating with the Catalan side despite Chelsea already agreeing a fee with Leeds United.
Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images
Nevertheless, his qualities on the field were undoubted, and supporters will be delighted if they have just brought in a player who shares similar qualities.
With his time at Stamford Bridge currently only set to be short, he will need to hit the ground running in terms of forming relationships with his new teammates.
He may find things easier with one first team star. He has already described wing-back Reece James as an ‘amazing guy’ after meeting him in London before joining the club.
Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan over cancelling Tiemoue Bakayoko’s loan
Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan to cancel Tiemoue Bakayoko’s loan.
The Stamford Bridge club are willing to let the 28-year-old – who cost the club £35m from Monaco in 2017 – leave on a free.
Bakayoko signed for Milan on a two-year loan deal in the summer of 2021, but he has struggled for gametime under Stefano Pioli.
Chelsea are in talks with AC Milan over cancelling Tiemoue Bakayoko’s loan spell at the club
He featured just 18 times in all competitions last season and has failed to even play a minute during the current campaign.
The Rossoneri are unwilling to play the 28-year-old as there is a clause in his loan meaning they would have to make the deal permanent if he plays at least 45 minutes in 15 games this season.
He is contracted until 2024 with Graham Potter’s side but the Blues are prepared to release him, in a similar move to what they did with fellow transfer flop Ross Barkley earlier this season before the midfielder joined Nice.
Bakayoko has endured a torrid time at Chelsea and they are willing to let him leave on a free
The 28-year-old has had several loan spells away from the club, including with Napoli (above)
Bakayoko, who has won a sole cap for France, played 43 times for Chelsea during the 2017-18 season.
His last game for the club came in that campaign, as he played the full 90 minutes of their FA Cup final victory over Manchester United in May 2018.
The midfielder has since endured successive loan spells at AC Milan, Monaco and Napoli between 2018-2021, before he returned to the San Siro in the summer of 2021.
Pioli’s side sit third in Serie A with 37 points from 17 games and the Italian has several central midfielders at his disposal such as Sandro Tonali and Ismael Bennacer.
They have also reached the knockout stages of the Champions League and face Tottenham in the Round of 16.
SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk, thechelseachronicle.com
