Joao Felix joins Chelsea on loan in search of more playing time, Atletico Madrid already lining up replacement

Chelsea has announced that they have acquired the services of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a loan deal until the end of the 2022-23 season.

The long-awaited transfer of Joao Felix to Chelsea has finally been confirmed by the London club on Wednesday. 

This move follows recent speculation that the player had fallen out of favor with his manager Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Felix will now spend the rest of the season with Chelsea, where he hopes to receive more playing time as the club is currently experiencing a difficult period. 

He traveled to London on Tuesday to undergo a medical examination and sign the contract. 

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea will pay for Felix's salary for the rest of the season and €11 million to Atletico Madrid as part of the loan deal. The agreement is only for the current season and Joao Felix will return to Atletico Madrid once the 2022-23 campaign concludes. 

Atletico Madrid wished him good luck for this new professional journey before he leaves.

Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, is hoping that Joao Felix will have a quick positive impact on the team, which currently sits in 10th place in the Premier League, with only one victory in their last seven games across all competitions. 

The 23-year-old Portuguese player was touted as the next big thing for Atletico Madrid, and he has at times lived up to expectations, scoring 34 goals in 131 appearances for the club. 

However, in recent times, manager Diego Simeone has been benching him, which may have prompted his move in search of more regular playing time. 

This loan move is not the end of Felix's time in Spain, as he has also extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until 2027.

 As for this season, it is rumored that Atletico Madrid have already lined up a replacement for him in Barcelona's Memphis Depay.