It is no longer news that Joao Felix is one of the players seeking a move away from his current club in the January transfer window. He is being linked with a move to English giants, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
The former Golden Boy award winner has not lived up to the hype that saw him move from Benefica to Athletico Madrid in the summer of 2019.
Felix has struggled to nail a regular spot in Diego Simeone’s side since moving to the Wanda Metropolitano. He has started 53 games and come on as a substitute 41 times in La Liga since the 2019/2020 season. He has scored 33 goals and registered 18 assists in 129 appearances for the Roji Blancos which is a poor return for the club’s most expensive signing.
With Portuguese International on the verge of a move to England, it raises the question of where he suits best. This is important because Joao Felix has to get his career going again!
The first thing to consider is where would he get the most playing time at the moment and that has to be Chelsea. Here is why.
Graham Potter is yet to know his best team and he has had to change formations and selections since his move to Chelsea. This is so evident in his attacking selections, Potter is yet to know his best forwards and those that he has seen play are yet to impress under him and even under previous managers. Therefore, there is no gain in saying that Chelsea’s attack needs a new lease of fresh air and quality.
At Arsenal or Manchester United, Felix might struggle with game time because both teams have a settled formation and selection. Felix is best played as a secondary striker or left winger. Both teams play with 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations and that has no room for a secondary striker which is his best role with Marcus Rashford and Gabriel Martinelli occupying the left side of the attack for Man United and Arsenal respectively, it is difficult to see him getting a starting berth.
Felix won’t be guaranteed a starting spot at Chelsea but he stands a higher chance of getting regularly selected by Graham Potter than Erik Ten Haag or Mikel Arteta as it were.
In addition, Felix needs an environment where he can thrive, he has to move to a team that is ready to play him in his best position which is as a secondary striker. With Potter still battling with the headache of the best formation for his new Chelsea side, there can’t be an any better time for Felix to move to Stamford Bridge than now.
Being able to play as a secondary striker will not only benefit the former Benefica striker but also players like Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz. This explains the rumor that Potter is considering fielding Havertz and Felix together in a front two. He won’t get this privilege at Arsenal or Manchester United.
As it stands, Manchester United and Arsenal are in dire need of a striker, not a secondary striker or a left winger like Felix. Don’t get me wrong, he will be a good addition to both sides but it will make more financial and footballing sense for both Mikel Arteta and Erike Ten Haag to set their eyes elsewhere
If Joao Felix intends to resuscitate his career and live up to the hype that saw him move to Athletio madrid, his next destination should be Chelsea football club.
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