Joao Felix has claimed that he instructed his agent to do "everything possible" to engineer him a move to AC Milan in the January transfer window. Chelsea's stunning recruitment drive last summer may have raised some eyebrows but it was perhaps Felix's return to Stamford Bridge that was the most surprising.
The Portuguese star signed a seven-year contract when he rejoined the Blues on a £45million permanent deal in August 2024. This came after an initial, and largely forgettable, loan spell at Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022-23 season.
In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Felix has now claimed he is delighted with how his move to Milan is going, stating that he had been keeping a watchful eye on the club before heading to Italy - with the club representing one of Europe's "elite".
“Before I got the offer, I watched Milan games and thought ‘I'd like to play in that shirt’," he said. "Then, when the offer came in, everything became very easy: I told my agent [Jorge Mendes] to do everything possible to reach the deal, and it went well.
"Along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and a few others, Milan are among the elite of the most important clubs in the world. Wearing this shirt is different to wearing others. And when Milan comes calling, it's hard to say no."
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Joao Felix
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said that the decision to part with Felix was not personal (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Felix ultimately made 20 appearances for Chelsea this season but struggled to break into Enzo Maresca's starting XI. While he scored seven goals and managed two assists, as well as starring in the club's Europa Conference League campaign, he was judged surplus to requirements.
However, Maresca insisted that it was a purely professional decision to sanction the player's move to Milan. "Nothing happened," he said. "
"Players train everyday and want to play all the games. But just 11 are playing. We decided altogether that it was a good option to leave. He never complained.
"He has been very good with us," he continued. "Just a matter of my decision. The reason why, we need defensive balance. When you have so many attacking players, you can concede and I don't like that."
Felix's arrival wasn't enough for Milan to turn their tough season around, with Champions League qualification now out of their reach. Yet, while he is expected to return to Chelsea at the end of the season, the 24-year-old's focus seems to be solely on the Rossoneri.
Joao Felix of AC Milan shows his dejection during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at on February 18, 2025
Joao Felix said he was eyeing up AC Milan before he even joined the club (Image: Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
"That was the club's goal [Champions League qualification]. Unfortunately, fourth place is a long way off and we probably won't achieve it, but we have to do our best in the last four league games and, above all, win the Italian Cup.
"We all want to end this season on a high note. The Europa League? It's a goal to achieve because Milan has to play in Europe."
Felix has struggled to live up to the hype surrounding him since his performances at Benfica earned him a £113m to Atletico Madrid in July 2019, a deal which at the time was the fifth-most expensive transfer in history.
Since his high-profile move, he has largely been shipped out on loan with Barcelona joining Chelsea and Milan as clubs the young forward has played for.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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