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Chelsea have two major Joao Felix issues as Graham Potter unable to plan for future
Chelsea are uncertain as to whether they will be able to sign Joao Felix on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid this summer.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter is unable to plan for the future as it remains uncertain where Joao Felix will be playing his football next season. The Blues face two major issues in discovering whether the Portugal star will join them on a permanent deal or not.
Felix joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid on an initial six-month loan in January. They paid the La Liga club just under £10million in a loan fee and took up his entire wages.
He didn't have the best of starts to life at Stamford Bridge. The versatile forward was sent off on his debut against Fulham and sat on the sidelines for a month due to the nature of Chelsea's schedule.
The 23-year-old has started the last seven matches and, despite scoring just one goal so far, has become a key player for Potter. Chelsea have won their last three matches and are starting to turn a corner.
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They have already agreed a deal to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig and he will arrive in the summer. But Potter does not know yet if he will have Felix at his disposal.
The first issue that could have a big impact on Felix is what Diego Simeone decides to do with his own future. Simeone has managed Atletico since 2011 but reports in January claimed he is planning to leave in the summer.
That is yet to be confirmed but the Argentine's relationship with Felix is not a good one. If Simeone stays at the Wanda Metropolitano then Chelsea could use that as leverage in a permanent deal.
However, if he were to leave and be replaced with a big-name manager, that may be enough to convince Felix to hang around in the Spanish capital. His family are already set up in Spain so that could be something that appeals to him.
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Another obstacle Chelsea are facing is the fee Atletico would demand. Whether Simeone stays or not, Felix is going to be pricey.
Atletico want back as much of the £111m they spent on him as possible. Todd Boehly has not been averse to throwing his money around since becoming Chelsea owner less than a year ago.
However, would he be able to justify spending a fee as large as that for Felix? Chelsea splashed out £88m on Mykhaylo Mudryk in January, as well as £30m on Noni Madueke.
Chelsea will be well-stocked in attacking positions, especially with Nkunku's arrival. It remains to be seen if there is going to be space for another substantial arrival such as Felix.
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