Chelsea reportedly included an interesting clause in Joao Felix’s loan deal with AC Milan that could impact his summer plans.
Chelsea re-signed Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid last summer, penning a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge. However, the skilful attacker left the Blues in the winter transfer window to join AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season.
Unfortunately, the Portugal international struggled for regular minutes in Enzo Maresca’s side during the first half of the campaign because of stiff competition from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku.
The good news is that Felix is playing a lot more regularly at the San Siro in Milan colours since his loan switch, even if his end product in front of goal is a bit light.
Club Appearances Goals Assists
Chelsea 20 7 2
AC Milan 8 1 0
Joao Felix’s 2024/25 season
Milan aren’t planning to sign Felix permanently once his loan expires in the summer. This may come as a real blow to the player because Felix hopes to stay longer at Milan.
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Joao Felix clause means he could return to Chelsea in time for Club World Cup
According to The Daily Mail, Felix’s short-term loan deal with Italian giants Milan runs until 30 June.
The report adds that there’s an interesting clause in the 25-year-old’s deal that allows Chelsea to bring back the player in time to be involved in the Club World Cup.
The Club World Cup tournament begins on 14 June, which includes Chelsea and Manchester City as the Premier League’s representatives. If the Blues go the distance in this season’s Conference League tournament, they won’t have much rest because that European final takes place on 28 May in Wroclaw.
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Chelsea want new signings for the Club World Cup. If they can’t get through any deals in time, it sounds like they’ll have the option to reintegrate Felix to the squad for the summer competition.
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images
Joao Felix needs one home
At the age of 25, Felix should soon be entering his prime years as a footballer and showcasing his incredible talent on a weekly basis. Instead, he’s desperately searching for a permanent home and moving around a lot.
Club Appearances
Atletico Madrid 131
Barcelona 44
Benfica 43
Chelsea 40
AC Milan 8
Joao Felix’s senior club career
We still think there is room for Felix to compete and contribute in Chelsea colours, but he would just have to accept he won’t be starting every week. It’s super frustrating that he went out on loan because he must’ve known when he signed a seven-year deal with the Blues that a starting spot wasn’t guaranteed.
Whatever Felix does decide to do in the summer, it feels quite significant for his career path.
From a Chelsea perspective, it makes sense to strengthen their numbers for an awkwardly timed Club World Cup tournament by using the on-loan Milan forward.