The FIFA Club World Cup is set to start in a little over a month, and one of Chelsea’s opponents in the group stage will be Brazilian giants Flamengo.
Currently managed by former Chelsea left back Filipe Luís, who finished his playing career there and then guided the team to a third place finish last season, they have recently been linked with a couple high profile signings ahead of the tournament. As we learned earlier, FIFA’s rules will allow not only for an earlier transfer window ahead of the Club World Cup, but could in essence also allow teams to loan in players for just the duration of the monthlong cash-grab in the States.
And one of those players for Flamengo just might be João Félix, currently on loan at AC Milan. But the sudden spurt of speculation from earlier this week has been talked down significantly by more recent reports out of Brazil, with Globo claiming that Félix’s salary, and supposed interest from other European clubs, will prevent any actual talks from taking place. So, as amusing as it would be to play against Félix on June 20 in Philadelphia, this probably won’t be happening.
However, there might be a familiar face among their number after all — though not David Luiz, who left the club in January — with Flamengo pushing hard to sign Jorginho from Arsenal. This one seems a lot more likely to happen, provided the timings with our Champions League-winner’s contract (technically it ends only at the end of June) and personal commitments (i.e. wedding plans) work out in their favor.
Flamengo are interested in signing Joao Felix in time for the Club World Cup in a potential move that could see him come up against #CFC in the tournament.
Talks with player side are exploratory. Chelsea would consider sanctioning a loan on the right terms. Also open to… pic.twitter.com/w7ZH7nCdbG
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 5, 2025