Opinion: Chelsea’s Joao Felix decision must wait

There has been some reliable reports suggesting that Chelsea are already keen to sign Joao Felix on a permanent deal this summer, with one report below stating that talks are already happening between the club and Atletico Madrid.

Of course, Felix is only on a dry loan so Chelsea do not have any option to buy him right now and a deal will need to be agreed. But seemingly Chelsea want to do exactly that.

Whether we buy him or not, I actually don’t care either way, just as long as we still get our priorities done as well. If signing Felix stops us signing a new defensive midfielder, striker, a goalkeeper, and a squad clear-out, in that order, then no, we should not sign Felix. If it makes no odds, then yes, let’s sign Felix.

Can we fit them all in? Again, not a problem that I need to be concerned about. That’s on the manager. Will there be issues? Of course, it’s a top club, there will be huge competition for game time, it happens. Top clubs needs two top players for each position, meaning some players will be left frustrated, that’s just how it is.

I like Felix, and I don’t even think we have seen anywhere near the best of him yet. He’s been hugely unlucky not to have more goals and assists registered to his name under us yet, and it’s been a matter of inches that has taken goals away from him – hitting the wrong part of the post on a couple of occasions.

But I think what he brings is special and unique – he brings flair and a direct style of play, something that we have been missing in our squad since Eden Hazard. Like I say, I don’t even think we have seen the best of Felix yet, and he hasn’t been great in every minute he has played. But for me, I’ve seen many positives, and I’ve seen him start to create good partnerships with our current players over the pitch.

However, I’ve also said that I won’t make my final conclusion on Felix until I’ve seen him play out the end of this season with us – that will help me make my decision, and I trust that the club are doing the same.

But ultimately, what other business we do this summer is at the back of my mind for now, way behind getting in a new defensive midfielder, striker, and a goalkeeper – that should remain the priority first and foremost.

We should perhaps try and sort a deal to loan him for another season with an option to buy. Whether Atletico would accept that or not we don’t know. But if not that, then the deal has to be good for us as well, perhaps using one of two players to get the fee down.

So to sum up, I’m not making any conclusive decisions on Felix myself until the summer. But ultimately my focus remains on actioning our main priorities over anything else anyway, so I’m not even really thinking about anything else right now. I trust the club and Potter to do the right thing and have a plan with where they will be fitting all these players in, and selling the right players to make room in the squad to do so. but ultimately, we should not make a final decision until the end of the season and we see how he plays for the rest of it.