Desperate move already going sour
THERE has been a whiff of desperation about Chelsea’s pursuit of Joao Felix.
As if they signed him because they could as others queried an investment circa £15million in fees and wages for only six months of service from a young player with a reputation for sulking. ‘Not a normal loan,’ noted Fulham boss Marco Silva before kick-off. Still, Chelsea long since ceased to operate as a normal club. Nor are they in what for them is a normal situation, embarking a major change of direction with the man chosen to lead them already under pressure, languishing in mid-table with fans on the turn. When Felix went straight into Graham Potter’s team at Fulham after training just once with his new team since arriving from Atletico Madrid it seemed like another move made in haste. Certainly not one that would’ve been made with Chelsea settled and ticking over nicely. When he was sent off with less than an hour played, for a lunging, studs-up, desperate-to-impress tackle on Kenny Tete, early in the second half, it seemed like a terrible decision to have thrown him straight into the heat of a Premier League derby against inform opponents with a point to prove. Until then, however, the 23-year-old had been all silk and no sulk. His exemplary control, balance and speed off the mark drew two yellows in the opening minutes. Chelsea fans were quickly on board.
The Portugal international slipped clear of Tim Ream to create the first chance for teenager Lewis Hall and his name rang out. The home fans were less impressed. They soon realised it did not take much contact to knock Felix over and were appalled to find referee David Coote blind to what they thought was obvious. ‘What a waste of money,’ they crowed when he volleyed wide unaware he was offside and were thrilled by the red card but overall Felix looked fresh and hungry. Free from the demands of Diego Simeone and anxious to remind Atletico why they paid £114million for him as a teenager from Benfica. His class was encapsulated in one moment just after the half hour. Spinning away from Tosin Adarabioyo on halfway with a flick through his own legs, he accelerated clear to spark a dangerous counter attack. ‘There’s no doubting his ability,’ said Joe Cole, on BT Sport before kick-off. ‘I think he’ll flourish here. He’s a great player. He’s a technician. He’ll suit Potter’s expansive style.’ All true. They will embrace him at Stamford Bridge if he delivers this. They are desperately seeking success but the red card means he will miss the next three games through suspension. He becomes even more expensive on a pounds-pergame basis.