
<p>João Félix has officially signed for <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> on loan. The Portugal international will, however, just be at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the current campaign. Chelsea snatched up Felix in a $11.8 million move, while also covering his salary during his time with the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> club. This brings the total cost of the forward to just over $18 million for about five months on the pitch.</p>



<p>Upon making the switch to Chelsea, Felix spoke about the opportunity. “Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives,” <a href="https:\/\/www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/joao-felix-recruited-on-loan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> Felix. “I am very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge.”</p>



<p>Blues boss Graham Potter also talked about the impact of having Felix on his team. “He is a quality player, and he will make a difference in the final third of the pitch. He is young, but has really good experience. The signing gives everybody a lift,’ Potter told reporters at a <a href="https:\/\/www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/potter-reacts-to-the-signing-of-joao-felix" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press conference</a> on Wednesday.</p>



<p>“He is a good age and he can play as a second striker between the lines and making a difference in the final third. We are looking forward to working with him.”</p>



<h2>Injuries force Chelsea to grab João Félix on loan</h2>



<p>Potter also acknowledged the fact that injuries in his squad may have propelled the move for Felix. “We have been aware of it for a while, these things do not happen quickly. Maybe the injuries have sharpened the focus a little bit. It is nice to get him here, get him training today and it is positive for us,” claimed the coach.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">João Félix to Chelsea, here we go! Full verbal agreement reached, loan move on €11m fee with 100% salary covered by Chelsea. 🚨🔵 <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a><br><br>Before leaving, JF will extend contract with Atléti until 2027.<br><br>João will fly to London in the next hours to undergo medical tests and sign. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/F5aYKMgspa">pic.twitter.com/F5aYKMgspa</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1612784167070179328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Félix’s long-term future still with Atletico Madrid?</h5>



<p>Prior to signing for Chelsea, Felix extended his contract with <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atletico-madrid-tv-schedule/">Atletico Madrid</a>. The Spanish giants previously paid about $135 million for Felix back in 2019. However, the Portuguese player hasn’t exactly fulfilled his potential in Spain just yet. Atleti manager Diego Simeone has even benched the star throughout the campaign. In fact, Felix has started just 10 out of a possible of 21 matches in <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> and <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> play this season.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the player has extended his contract, so he will return to Spain in June. Felix will be hoping to show Simeone and Atleti what they’re missing during his time in London. Rumors have also surfaced that Simeone could be out as Atleti manager this summer. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire</em></p>


Chelsea have signed João Félix in a mammoth five-month loan deal, but there is no option to buy, and he will return to Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea signs João Félix on short-term loan deal


<p>João Félix may not join Arsenal nor Manchester United, with Chelsea emerging late to land the Atletico Madrid forward. For weeks, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-and-man-united-battle-for-joao-felix-20221229-WST-413718.html">Arsenal and Manchester United</a> looked like the top two suitors to acquire the Portuguese. However, a late swoop by Todd Boehly and Graham Potter may bring in the talent.</p>



<p>According to <em><a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/4072188/2023/01/09/chelsea-transfer-news-joao-felix/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em>, João Félix has a verbal agreement with Chelsea to join the Stamford Bridge side on loan for the remainder of the season. David Ornstein reports that Chelsea will pay Atletico Madrid around $11 million for the half-season loan. This figure is below what <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/atletico-madrid-reportedly-ready-to-hear-offers-for-joao-felix-20221104-WST-406885.html">Atletico originally wanted</a>. However, it appeared no Premier League club <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/16-million-loan-fee-for-joao-felix-may-be-stumbling-block-20230102-WST-414121.html">wanted to pay that much</a> for Félix.</p>



<p>Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the link between the two sides. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chelsea are now in advanced talks to sign João Félix from Atlético Madrid on loan until June. Deal at final stages — no buy option clause discussed. 🚨🔵 <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a><br><br>Fee will be more than €10m with salary covered and taxes. Talks accelerated after injuries and last game. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/68q0hnG9CR">pic.twitter.com/68q0hnG9CR</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1612479152384315392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 9, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Romano added that Chelsea had an increased desire to land a top-tier forward after a number of factors. For one, Chelsea is out of form with goals drying up offensively. Most recently, Chelsea suffered a 4-0 loss against Manchester City in the FA Cup after losing 1-0 to City midweek in the League.</p>



<h5>Out of form Blues</h5>



<p>That loss to City compounded a terrible run of form in the league. Chelsea has one win and one draw over its last seven league games. Over that time, Chelsea scored just four goals while conceding nine. As a result, Chelsea sits 10th in the table with a trip to seventh-spot Fulham next on the schedule.</p>



<p>Moreover, Chelsea is out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Manchester City hammered Chelsea in both competitions at the Etihad. Therefore, the only thing Chelsea has going for it is the UEFA Champions League. Chelsea is in the round of 16, and faces a tie against Borussia Dortmund.</p>



<p>These struggles are the result of a number of factors. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/05/30/todd-boehlys-consortium-complete-chelsea-takeover/">New ownership</a> is one distraction. Also, the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/08/graham-potter-arrives-at-chelsea-to-finalize-move/">arrival of Graham Potter</a> makes things hard for players. Potter thrived at Brighton, and he is still implementing his tactics at Stamford Bridge. However, countless injuries bar any consistency on the team sheet.</p>



<h2>João Félix answers some Chelsea injury woes</h2>



<p>As Fabrizio Romano pointed out, Chelsea accelerated the talks with Atletico Madrid after a number of recent injuries. Right now, Chelsea could assemble a strong XI made solely out of players on its <a href="https:\/\/www.premierinjuries.com/teams/chelsea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">injury report</a>. Edouard Mendy, Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, N’golo Kante and Ruben Loftus Cheek all have considerable injuries.</p>



<p>However, João Félix is there to fit in up top, where Chelsea is noticeably absent on names. <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1611095092894355474" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christian Pulisic</a>, Raheem Sterling, Armando Broja and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all have injuries. Therefore, João Félix can slide right in to play a role in Graham Potter’s team.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Pressinphoto</em></p>


João Félix has a verbal agreement to join Chelsea on loan for the remainder of the season, knocking United and Arsenal out of his running.

Chelsea close to landing João Félix on loan

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Chelsea close to landing João Félix on loan