Marcel Desailly believes Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) could be the club that finally unlocks the potential of Joao Felix – after the Portuguese has disappointed at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea (twice), Barcelona and now AC Milan.
Felix, once considered one of Europe’s greatest talents, has had a disastrous loan spell at AC Milan since January. He will return to Chelsea in the summer, where the club wants to sell him.
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The 25-year-old attacker was valued at €100 million a few years ago and Chelsea bought him for €52 million.
What does Desailly say?
“Joao Felix has a great talent, but he hasn’t found his place,” the French legend told Sky Sport Italia.
“He’s been to Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and now Milan without really making an impression on any of them. Now he needs a club with a clear philosophy that can build a project around him – where he feels confident enough to unfold. I would suggest PSG.
Desailly points out that Felix lacks mental strength, not technique:
“What he lacks is not skills, but character. He is not a leader. Right now, he is not what Milan need, because he does not have the mental strength to lift the team.
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Felix’s downfall at AC Milan
Felix joined Milan on loan without an option to buy on February 3, hoping to kickstart his career. He impressed on his debut with a beautiful goal against Roma in the Coppa Italia – but since then things have gone downhill.
Statistics in Milan (as of now):
- 12 games (7 from the start)
- 0 goals
- 0 assists
- Criticism from both the media and fans
Why do Chelsea want to get rid of him?
Chelsea bought Felix for €52 million in the summer of 2023, but he was unable to establish himself. With only 3 Premier League games from the start (behind Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku), a loan deal in January was seen as the best solution.
But also in Milan, he has failed completely.
Career in free fall
- 2019: Atletico Madrid paid €126 million for him (4th most expensive player ever).
- 131 games for Atlético: Only 34 goals.
- Two unsuccessful loan spells: Chelsea (2023) and Barcelona (2022/23).
- Back to Chelsea in 2023: 1 goal in 20 PL games.
Despite winning La Liga, Primeira Liga and the Nations League, Felix has never become the player everyone thought he would be.
Will PSG be the next stop?
With PSG in the spotlight, Kylian Mbappé’s departure could open the door for a new star. But after so many failures, will anyone really bet on him?
One last chance for the “wonderkid” who never came to anything?
