Joao Felix has opened his decision to leave Chelsea and sign for AC Milan in the January transfer window, and admitted that he kept an eye on the club prior to his move
Joao Felix has revealed that he was so happy to be a member of AC Milan that he told his agent to “do everything possible” to secure the move in January.
The exuberant recruitment ride from Chelsea last summer may have turned some heads, but it was perhaps Felix's return to Stamford Bridge that was the most shocking of all.
The Portuguese star signed a seven-year contract when he joined the blues again at a permanent £ 45 million deal in August 2024. This came after a first and largely forgetting, Leen Spell on Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022-23 season.
In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, Felix has now claimed that he is happy with how his move to Milan is going, stating that he had watched the club before he went to Italy, with the club that represents one of Europe's 'elite'.
“Before I received the offer, I looked at Milan games and thought,” I would like to play in that shirt, “he said. “When, when the offer came in, everything became very easy: I told my agent [Jorge Mendes] To do everything possible to reach the deal, and it went well.
“Together with Barcelona, Real Madrid and a few others, Milan belongs to the elite of the most important clubs in the world. Wearing this shirt is different from wearing others. And when Milan comes to call, it is difficult to say no.”
Felix played 20 times for Chelsea this season, but to infringe in the start XI of manager Enzo Maresca turned out to be difficult. Despite the fact that they had seven goals, offering two assists and sparking during their Europa Conference League run, it was decided that he did not fit in with the Italian's plans, Football London reports.
However, Maresca made it clear that moving the player to Milan is strictly due to football. “Nothing has happened,” said Maresca.
“Players train every day and want to play all the games. But only 11 play. We completely decided that it was a good option to leave. He never complained.
“He has been very good with us,” he added. “Just a matter of my decision. The reason why we need a defensive balance. If you have so many attacking players, you can admit and I don't like that.”
Although Felix's winter switch was unable to change Milan's challenging season, with Champions League spots that are now outside of their grip, his attention remains firmly in contributing to the Serie A -side.
“That was the goal of the club [Champions League qualification]. Unfortunately, fourth place is far away and we will probably not achieve it, but we have to do our best in the last four league games and especially win the Italian cup.
“We all want to end this season with a high note. The Europa League? It is a goal to achieve because Milan has to play in Europe.”
Felix thought it was a challenge to meet the expectations set for him, because his impressive versions at Benfica led to a transfer of £ 113 million to Atletico Madrid in July 2019, a deal that was then the fifth most expensive in history.
After his controversial relocation, he was mainly lent and plays for Barcelona, Chelsea and Milan.