Joao Felix Stats for Chelsea: Will second Stamford Bridge stint prove a success?

 

After a prolonged summer saga, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid look to finally be in agreement about which players the clubs will be exchanging. 

 

Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher is set to finally complete a move to the Spanish capital, while former loanee Joao Felix looks poised to return to Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal. 

 

As the Blues close in on their 12th signing of the summer, we’ve taken a look at the numbers behind Felix’s first stint with Chelsea. 

 

 

After a breakdown in his relationship with Atleti manager Diego Simeone, Joao Felix made it clear he wanted to leave the club in January 2023, shortly before finalising a half-season loan move to Chelsea. 

 

Felix was immediately integrated into the side under then head coach Graham Potter, with the Portugal international making 11 league starts and five substitute appearances by the end of the campaign. 

 

The 24-year-old’s four goals were - surprisingly - enough for him to finish the season as the club’s third highest goalscorer in the Premier League, behind Raheem Sterling (6) and Kai Havertz (7), both of whom had played significantly more games. 

 

During his five-month spell, Felix averaged more shots (4.4) and goals (0.4) per 90 minutes than any of his team-mates, while his 2.1 successful dribbles per 90 ranked third among fellow players at the club. 

 

Felix certainly showed glimpses of his best self at Stamford Bridge, but struggled for consistency and as such, new head coach Mauricio Pochettino decided against the club pursuing a permanent deal that summer. 

 

Fast-forward 12 months and Enzo Maresca, the latest man to take the reins at Chelsea, has seemingly approved Felix’s return to the club. It remains to be seen, however, whether a move for Felix should have been the priority for the Blues, given the club are currently well-stocked in the positions of attacking midfielder and winger, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto all vying for minutes. 

 

 

The ex-Barcelona loanee’s versatility has often been viewed as a strength, but this is a player who has still not scored more than 10 league goals in a single season since his breakthrough campaign at Benfica - six years ago. 

 

Maresca will no doubt back himself as the man to finally nail down the 24-year-old’s strongest role, and Blues supporters will hope to see the Portuguese forward at his best over the course of a full season at the club.

Joao Felix Stats for Chelsea: Will second Stamford Bridge stint prove a success?