Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca appears to have had his way as a player he let leave the club on loan and then admitted he won’t miss, now wants to leave the club permanently.
Brighton knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday with a 2-1 victory which means the Blues have won just three out of their last ten games in all competitions.
They registered just two shots on target throughout the entire 90 minutes and looked a far cry from the side who were set to mount a Premier League title challenge just six weeks ago.
That performance, along with their recent form, has raised questions over Chelsea’s January transfer window business. The club brought in no new players while letting seven leave including a man who they bought for £46million from Atletico Madrid just last summer: Joao Felix.
When questioned after the Brighton defeat, Maresca insisted it was the right decision to let the 25-year-old forward join Milan for the remainder of the season.
He said: ‘I don’t think we miss Joao. Joao is happy there and we are happy Joao is happy there. We had two striker injuries on deadline day, it is something difficult to think. Nico [Jackson] can be back very soon.’
Joao Felix makes a dream debut for Milan by scoring the third goal in the cup win over Roma
Enzo Maresca insisted that he did not miss Joao Felix after Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton
Georginio Rutter heads in Brighton’s equaliser as the Seagulls come from behind on Sunday
And Felix has responded both with performances on the pitch and with his comments off it.
The Portuguese scored a debut goal in their 3-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final win against Roma last Wednesday and already appears to be loving life at the San Siro.
‘For now, I’m on loan until June, we’ll see how it goes,’ he said. ‘I’m liking everything: the club, the people, the infrastructure.
‘My family and I have received a great welcome and I want to be in a place where I feel good.
‘Things can change in football, but if there’s the chance to stay here, I’d like that.’
Felix also revealed his admiration of Milan legend Kaka, who won Serie A and the Champions League at the club, as well as the Ballon d’Or.
‘My favourite player has always been Kaka, I’ve spoken about him in the past and met him in the United States where we took part in an interview together.
‘He is my idol, but I can’t make comparisons between myself and him, I would also like to make history at AC Milan.’
Chelsea fans will get their chance for revenge over Brighton when they again travel to the south coast for Friday evening’s Premier League Valentine’s clash.
But, with no love lost between Maresca and Felix, they may have to wait longer to see who has the final word between the pair.
