Chris Sutton has told Atletico Madrid to unleash Joao Felix as the reported Arsenal transfer target is ‘capable of sinking his claws’ into Manchester City, via his Daily Mail column.
The Colchoneros host the Citizens at the Wanda Metropolitano this Wednesday needing to beat the Etihad Stadium natives. Pep Guardiola’s side will arrive in Spain holding a 1-0 lead in the Champions League quarter-final following Kevin de Bruyne’s goal during the first-leg.
Felix started last week’s affair at the Premier League leaders, but cut an isolated figure due to Diego Simeone’s tactics. The Argentine set Atletico Madrid up to play with two banks of five in front of Jan Oblak. But while it restricted the Sky Blues, it also silenced Felix’s threat.
Simeone also benched Felix on Saturday as Atletico Madrid lost on the road to Mallorca in La Liga. The 1-0 result leaves the Colchoneros just a point above Real Betis in fourth-place, and three clear of Real Sociedad in sixth. Barcelona and Sevilla are only three points ahead.
Atletico Madrid failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League could see them lose Felix this year, too. Sport report the Portuguese’s agent, Jorge Mendes, will put pressure on the club to cash in without elite UEFA action and could offer other clients in exchange.
Doing so may boost Arsenal’s pursuit of Felix’s transfer from Atletico Madrid, should Mikel Arteta secure them Champions League football. Football.london report the £113m former Benfica star is among the names on the Gunners’ shortlist as they target two striker deals.
Joao Felix is ‘capable of sinking his claws’ into Man City amid Arsenal links
Arsenal have lacked bite in the final-third this season from their current centre-forwards. Eddie Nketiah is still to score in the Premier League through 166 minutes, while Alexandre Lacazette has not hit home from open play since December 11 – going 20 hours without.
Felix may stamp his case for a transfer to Arsenal by impressing for Atletico Madrid against Manchester City. And Sutton urges Simeone to let Arteta’s target threaten Guardiola’s side as he – not Luis Suarez – is the only one in the Colchoneros ranks able to give a real threat.
“Joao Felix is a very talented forward. Confident, too,” Sutton wrote. “He did an interview a few months back in which he talked all about his game, how he loves being the second forward, even mentioning that winning the Ballon d’Or is a target.
“To do that, you need to play and perform. Felix was out of the starting line-up for a while but was eventually brought back in by Simeone and, lo and behold, results improved. Atletico are better when the 22-year-old is in their team…
“They need to score one goal at the very least and if they’re going to do it, there’s a good chance that goal comes from Felix. Suarez only has bite from the bench these days. Felix is the one capable of sinking his claws into City, if he gets the nod.”
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