Why Joao Felix joined Milan on loan as role of Chelsea star emerges

Joao Felix struggled to get playing time at Chelsea in the first part of the season, mostly due to Cole Palmer’s impressive performances, which prompted the Portuguese to accept a loan move to Milan.

Joao Felix has joined Milan on a temporary transfer from Chelsea, but the Rossoneri don’t have an option to make the Portuguese striker’s move permanent in the summer.

Italian media already explained that the Rossoneri could not match Chelsea’s demands for a permanent transfer and were running out of time to discuss an option to buy on the deadline day.

Joao Felix had joined the Blues for €52m last summer, so he spent barely 160 days at Stamford Bridge before joining Milan.

Why Joao Felix joined Milan on loan as role of Chelsea star emerges

The 25-year-old had scored seven goals in 20 appearances with the Blues but was not a regular starter as England international Palmer impressed in the same role in the first part of the campaign.

As explained by Football London, Palmer’s superb performances at Stamford Bridge first pushed Joao Felix to the bench and then convinced him to accept a loan move to Milan.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca sent a clear message to Joao Felix weeks before his move to San Siro.

“The only thing I’ve said since the start of this season is that it is difficult to play him with so many attacking players,” the Italian tactician explained in January.

“For me, it’s quite easy; we have three players but they are more or less similar with Cole, Joao and Christopher Nkunku. Joao played some games, Christo also played and they both started against Ipswich and Southampton they played, Leicester they played. They can play some games together, but not every game because every game is a bit different.”