2012 UEFA Champions League winner with the Blues, Florent Malouda has called on the club to sign the Portuguese star on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid
Chelsea icon Florent Malouda, who won the 2012 UEFA Champions League with the Blues has pinpointed the permanent signing of current loan star Joao Felix as the move that could change the club’s current fortunes.
Malouda urges Chelsea to sign Joao Felix
Malouda played for Chelsea for six years after joining the Blues from French side Lyon, winning the Premier League in 2010 as well as the FA Cup and UCL double in 2012.
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The former France international has watched his old club struggle in the 2022/23 season but still managed to find a temporary silver lining that he believes the Blues need to make permanent in the person of Portuguese forward Joao Felix.
Joao Felix joined Chelsea on loan in the January transfer window from Atletico Madrid and has been the club’s joint-top goalscorer in the league since then, with three goals in 14 appearances for the club.
Malouda admits difficulty of Joao Felix deal
Malouda believes that signing the 23-year-old forward on a permanent basis is a must for Chelsea, even though he admits that a significant financial burden must be met to make the deal happen.
He said, “I would not validate the price tag of £100m plus. This is way too much and the market is going crazy. But in terms of attitude, Joao Felix is setting the right example.
“This is a player that wants to stay, he wants to play for Chelsea and is showing that in games and in training sessions as well.
“Admittedly, there will be a few arguments about price with Atletico Madrid, but this is a player who I think is valuable - in terms of what he is doing on the pitch and then what he brings to the dressing room.
Malouda also bemoaned Chelsea’s luck in the transfer market, implying that the Blues are often overcharged for talent when they try to buy players.
“In terms of financial implications, it is always really difficult because Chelsea enter into negotiations for players and the price tag suddenly become astronomical - sometimes £100million plus,” Malouda concluded.
Joao Felix has already made his intentions about returning to Atletico Madrid under current coach Diego Simeone known, and it is likely that all parties involved will be going for an amicable exit for the Portuguese forward.
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