Jamie Carragher has claimed that Arsenal transfer target, Joao Felix, isn’t getting the best out of his abilities at Atletico Madrid.
Playing for a defensive-minded coach in Diego Simeone, Carragher thinks the technically-gifted superstar needs to move, as he told CBS Sports (13/04/22 at 7:45 pm).
Signed up by the current La Liga champions for £113 million in 2019 (BBC Sport), if Felix is to part ways with the club, then they are going to demand a serious amount of dough for his talents.
Arsenal are pushing to sign the Portugal international and there are suggestions that his agent, Jorge Mendes, is looking to get him out of the Spanish capital, as reported by SPORT.
Perhaps a move to the Premier League would suit the 22-year-old, as Carragher shared his thoughts on the player.
“He’s a huge figure, in terms of his transfer fee, when he first went there,” said Carragher.
“He was questioned ‘why would you go to Atletico Madrid when you are a player of his type and ability?’ Is Diego Simeone ever going to get the best from him given the tactics that he plays?
“I don’t think we are ever going to see the best of Joao Felix. He has proved that he has got better under Diego Simeone. But I don’t think, with the club he is at and the tactics he has that we will ever see the best of him there.
“In terms of the future and his career, I think a move might be best for him in the coming years.”
Arsenal are searching for that number nine this summer, after selling Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and with Alexandre Lacazette’s contract running out.
Under Mikel Arteta, whilst Lacazette has struggled for the goals, he has been that focal point and that connector for the rest of his teammates to thrive.
Felix also has the ability to drop into pockets, play that one-touch football, find a teammate with a clever or disguised pass and open up space for those around him.
But the biggest stumbling block those in north London will have to deal with is perhaps the transfer they may need to pay for him.
Plus, if they don’t secure Champions League football at the end of the season, then they might lose a bit of spark when it comes to pulling power.
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