While Chelsea fans grapple with a devastating European exit, former Blue Joao Felix has reached a milestone in the Saudi Pro League, pipping Chelsea’s own Joao Pedro to double figures.
Joao Felix’s time at Chelsea will be remembered as a series of flashes of brilliance undermined by a lack of consistency. His initial six-month loan in 2023 started infamously with a red card on his debut against Fulham, yet he still managed to endear himself to fans with four goals in 16 appearances.
When he returned permanently in August 2024 for £45 million, expectations were high that he would finally anchor the attack.
However, Felix struggled to secure a starting spot under Enzo Maresca, often relegated to a cup specialist role where he netted four goals in five Conference League games.
Unable to break into the Premier League XI consistently, he was loaned to AC Milan in January 2025 before being sold to Al Nassr in July for approximately £43 million.
And now he’s finally finding his feet again over in Saudi Arabia.
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Joao Felix reaches double figures for goals and assists
Former Chelsea attacker Joao Felix is the first player in the Saudi Pro League to reach double figures for both goals and assists, currently sitting at 15 goals and 11 assists.
Claudio Marchisio claimed that Felix was one of the most disappointing players during his time at AC Milan, but he’s quickly turned things around.
In comparisons, Joao Pedro has 18 goals and nine assists this season, so the Chelsea star has one more contribution overall, but Felix hit the double double milestone quicker.
Albeit, there is the fact that Felix is playing in a much easier league and competitions, compared to the Premier League and the Champions League.
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Do Chelsea miss Joao Felix?
Chelsea’s current creative crisis, highlighted by the 8-2 aggregate drubbing from PSG, inevitably invites comparisons to the departed Joao Felix.
While the Portuguese forward was often labeled a luxury at Stamford Bridge, his record-breaking form at Al Nassr suggests a level of final-third composure Chelsea currently lacks.
However, the only doubt would be around whether he can cut it in the Premier League, as he struggled to come to terms with it.
The club’s decision to move on from Felix was rooted in a need for a more physical, consistent focal point, which they found in Joao Pedro.
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