Joao Felix was strongly linked with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in the opening days of the January transfer window, but he decided to move to Graham Potter’s Chelsea and not to the Emirates Stadium.
Earlier this week, The Daily Record reported that Felix was keen on a move to Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window despite having interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Athletic added that the Portugal international forward picked Chelsea over Arsenal and United because the Blues’ project interested him.
Chelsea agreed Atletico’s terms for the loan deal, and the transfer was complete this week.
Felix started for the Blues against Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
It was the young forward’s debut for Graham Potter’s side.
And while the 23-year-old, who can operate as a winger, forward or attacking midfielder and played for Portugal at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, did well in the first half, he was shown a straight red card in the second period for a really bad challenge.
It was a really bad lunge on defender Kenny Tete after 58 minutes, and Felix himself would admit that it was wrong of him to make that challenge.
The attacker was actually playing well up to that point.
The Atletico-owned star played a brilliant ball to Kai Havertz in the opening minutes of the match and showed some very good skills and flicks.
Felix was the creative spark that Chelsea had been lacking in recent weeks, but you simply cannot excuse him for his bad challenge.
And Arsenal fans will not be displeased to see the Portuguese star spoil his debut after reportedly snubbing a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Felix will now serve a three-match ban, which means that he will not play against Liverpool later this month.
Reaction to Arsenal target Joao Felix dismissal on Chelsea debut
This is the reaction from some on the red card for Felix:
Former Leeds United Women player Lucy Ward on BT Sport: “There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it was a red card. He followed through and there was no suggestion he was going to bend his leg. It was reckless.”
BBC Sport journalist Michael Emons at Craven Cottage: “Joao Felix had been Chelsea’s best player by some distance but that was a truly horrible lunge on Kenny Tete, who was lucky to not sustain a serious injury with Felix catching him on his shin.
“The Fulham fans chanted ‘what a waste of money’ and waved Felix off the pitch.”
Former Premier League referee Peter Walton on BT Sport: “He has lunged in, there is no intention of course, but he’s gone in too high. It’s the right decision for me. He has endangered the opposition.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
