Darren Bent says he would ‘100%’ sign Joao Felix for Arsenal, although, he doesn’t think the Chelsea loanee would get into Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
The boyhood Arsenal fan added that Felix is an impressive player, despite his stats not showing it during his time in England, but he wouldn’t get ahead of Martin Odegaard for Arsenal.
The Portugal international is currently on-loan at Chelsea from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.
On paper, Felix has just one Premier League goal to his name and he was hooked at half-time as Graham Potter’s men beat relegation-threatened Leicester City 3-1 over the weekend.
That’s not a great look for the 23-year-old given that he is only at Chelsea for a short period of time, but that’s where the stats lie.
Former Premier League striker Bent defended the Chelsea loanee and what he should do with his future, as he told Drive on talkSPORT (13/03/23).
“I have been impressed with Felix,” said Bent. “I think his all-round play has been good. I do think for someone, of his quality and ability, the numbers should be better.
“He has one goal and that was West Ham. He looks good. Maybe we look too much at numbers because he is playing well. It’s almost like, if you haven’t got a goal or an assist, then he’s rubbish and not worth the money. But I like him and I think he has done well.
On if Chelsea should sign Felix: “Yeah, if he is gelling with the squad and playing well, unless you think you can find someone in that position who can be better than him, then I would try to sign him. I would actually sign him because he is 23.
On if he would have Felix at Arsenal: “100%. No, (he wouldn’t start for Arsenal). Have you seen Odegaard’s performance at the weekend? So, does he start ahead of him?”
FELIX IS A TOP TALENT
The ball-carrying expert just needs a permanent home and a forward-thinking style of play that will allow him to cook on the Premier League stage.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea put the money down on the table for Felix because he certainly can’t stay at Atletico Madrid given that his style of football is chalk and cheese compared to what Diego Simeone wants.
It also needs to be remembered that when Martin Odegaard first joined Arsenal, on a loan deal from Real Madrid, sparks didn’t exactly fly, but now, he is sitting top of the league with the Gunners.
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