In Focus: Blues aim to find funds for frontman Felix

Joao Felix joined Chelsea on a six-month loan deal in January and has impressed since his arrival in West London. 

Despite scoring only twice in his seven Premier League appearances so far, his quality has been evident. 

Atletico Madrid, however, did not include a purchase option in the agreement that saw the 23-year-old swap Spain for England, complicating matters for the Blues. 

The Colchoneros paid £112.9million to sign the Portugal international from Benfica and would likely seek to recoup a significant portion of that investment. 

If Felix sparkles once again as Chelsea host Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, it may convince the Blues hierarchy to do whatever it takes to keep him at the club on a permanent basis.

The right fit

Felix spent only a year at Benfica before his big-money move to Atleti.

And despite winning a league title in 2020-21, his time under boss Diego Simeone was strained — a parting of ways could suit all involved.

Graham Potter appears better-suited to dealing with Felix and the Portuguese has arguably been Chelsea's best-performing forward in recent weeks.

Former Chelsea centre-back Frank Leboeuf has liked what he has seen from the No11's time at Stamford Bridge.

Leboeuf said: "Joao Felix is a great player. I think he is the most dangerous player, the most entertaining player, the most artistic player at Chelsea right now.

"He has been pretty consistent too, almost every game he creates something. Hopefully, Chelsea will be able to sell a few players and can then get Felix.

"It would be a lot of money, that is the only worry for the owners. But I would sign him."

Fernandez friendship

Felix's Chelsea team-mate Enzo Fernandez, who also broke on to the scene at Benfica, has no doubts about the Portuguese's talent and importance to Potter's men. 

The 22-year-old World Cup winner said: "When you get on with someone off the field it helps on the field to have that special connection. 

"[Felix] is a great player. A fantastic player. He has got lots of ability and loads of qualities. 

"He is a key player for us, an important player and he is on loan. Let us hope that Chelsea can do all they can to keep hold of him come June — that would be great."

Proving his worth

A major argument against Felix’s signing is the fact that his arrival does not solve Chelsea's goalscoring issues.

The Blues' squad is stacked with attacking options but with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seemingly not trusted and Armando Broja out injured, Potter is without an out-and-out No9. 

However, the Nations League winner has proven himself enough of a goal threat to warrant a permanent transfer. 

Per 90 minutes in the Premier League, he ranks top among all Chelsea players for goals scored (0.35), shots (3.98) and shots on target (1.73).

Making the Villans pay

Fresh from a fruitful international break with Portugal, scoring in the 6-0 rout of Luxembourg, Felix will be keen to channel that momentum ahead of the final stretch of the season. 

The high volume of his shooting numbers — along with his willingness to run at his man, averaging 3.98 take-ons per 90 in the Premier League — paint a promising picture. 

He must start turning that promise into something more tangible, however, and a stubborn Villa side are his next opponents — the Midlands outfit have been breached just once in their last four games.

If Felix can break down Unai Emery's rearguard, he will be one step closer to persuading Blues chiefs to splash the cash on him.