Chelsea will NOT make Joao Felix transfer permanent after Mauricio Pochettino snub as Atletico Madrid release statement
JOAO FELIX will not become a permanent member of Chelsea’s dressing room next season.
Mauricio Pochettino snubbed the Portugal ace as he prepares to wield the axe on his bloated squad in the summer.
GettyJoao Felix will not stay at Chelsea beyond his loan[/caption]
The revelation came following a statement from Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.
He said: “We’ve been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Felix for Chelsea.
“He will return here, we’ll see. We have nothing planned.”
Felix, 23, scored four goals after arriving at Stamford Bridge in January.
His final effort came as a consolation in a 4-1 defeat against Manchester United.
Despite his talent, Felix saw himself relegated to the bench during Frank Lampard‘s interim period in charge.
Felix had also struggled for form while at Atletico Madrid earlier this season, netting just four goals and adding three assists in 14 La Liga outings.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was stunned to find out Chelsea do not have an option to buy the attacker, saying during the Blues loss to the Red Devils: “They’ve signed everyone.
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“But the one player they should have an option to buy on they haven’t got.”
However, with new boss Pochettino – appointed on Monday – Felix will not see his future at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, the former Tottenham manager is set to see the back of a number of stars.
The likes of Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Kalidou Koulibaly are all on the chopping block.
Raheem Sterling has also backed the appointment, saying: “He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally.
“I feel he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect.
“That’s what we need, someone in charge.”
