New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first knife has been revealed.
‘Portugal’s future’ João Felix, 23, is returning to his parent club Atletico Madrid (Spain). Chelsea signed Felix in the January winter transfer window.
The club paid the £10 million fee demanded by Atletico Madrid. Chelsea also paid 100% of his salary.
Instead of being loaned to Chelsea,스포츠토토 Felix extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until 2027. However, Felix had a difficult time adjusting to the English Premier League (EPL). In 16 EPL appearances, he scored just four goals.
Pochettino wasn’t happy either. Chelsea’s refusal to sell Felix outright was revealed by Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.
“We have been informed that Pochettino’s Chelsea does not include Felix. Felix will come back. Nothing is planned for Felix yet.”
Chelsea have spent around £600 million ($98.5 billion) in two transfer windows this season, but have suffered their worst ever campaign. Two managers, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, were sacked. Chelsea legend Frank Lampard took over as interim manager at the last minute, but the club finished 12th in the EPL.
Felix was not a turnaround card either. Pochettino’s first task will be to trim down the size of his bloated squad.
Getting rid of Felix is just the beginning. Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Kalidou Koulibaly are also on the release list.