Chelsea have four players who could block Joao Felix from joining permanently
Joao Felix has only three months to persuade Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly that he should pay an eye-popping fee to make his loan deal permanent in the summer.
Despite Diego Simeone’s desire for the Portugal international to leave, Atletico Madrid are likely to demand a hefty fee for a player for whom they paid £120 million in 2019.
After receiving his first red card against Fulham, Felix has up to 16 Premier League games to earn a permanent transfer to Chelsea. SportsDias examines four players who could prevent a transaction from taking place.
Kai Havertz
Chelsea initially signed Haverts as an attacking midfielder. His creative performances for Bayer Leverkusen convinced the Blues to spend just over £75 million on the exciting German in 2020.
However, the 23-year-old has spent the majority of his career as a center forward at Stamford Bridge. Due to Chelsea’s inability to sign a top-tier striker, Havertz plays up front.
The displays of Havertz have received mixed reviews. But if he continues to improve in the position, he could convince Chelsea not to pay a high price for Felix.
Noni Madueke
In January, Chelsea gambled heavily on England U21 attacker Noni Madueke. The west London club acquired the winger from PSV for £30 million.
Madueke, a former Tottenham youth, has had a solid start with the Blues. The 20-year-old has impressed in both of his previous appearances.
Madueke is a versatile member of Graham Potter’s squad, with the ability to play on either the wings or in the middle. If Madueke and Chelsea’s other attackers excel in the final months of the season, there may be little room for Felix.
Armando Broja
Armando Broja returned from a successful loan spell with Southampton at the beginning of the season with high expectations.
However, the Albanian did not receive a fair shot when Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter in September, as he had little playing time under Tuchel.
Upon the arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Broja was the second-choice recognized striker for the majority of the first half of the season, and even Havertz was occasionally preferred.
In December, during a mid-season friendly with Aston Villa, the academy graduate suffered a serious knee injury. The 21-year-old will likely miss the majority of the season.
In contrast, Broja could return in the summer stronger than ever. Broja, a natural finisher with the physical presence to lead the Premier League’s forward line, is a more natural center forward than the diminutive Felix.
David Datro Fofana
David Datto Fofana was a cautious January acquisition. At the beginning of the transfer window, Chelsea paid slightly more than £10 million to acquire the forward from Molde for a fee of just over £10 million.
Fofana, who is only 20, will be given time to develop before becoming a regular starter at Chelsea, according to Potter. However, he arrives with a reputation as a prolific attacker, having scored 24 goals in 65 games for Molde. He also contributed 10 assists, demonstrating his inventiveness.
Fofana, like Madueke, can play on the wings or as a forward. The 23-year- old’s Chelsea future may depend on whether the club’s current attackers outperform him during his loan stint.
Chelsea have four players who could block Joao Felix from joining permanently
