PSG tipped to sign Chelsea flop

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 14 Apr 2025 10:30 BST
4 min read

Marcel Desailly has tipped PSG to turn around the career of Chelsea flop Joao Felix.

Article continues under the video

Felix was heralded as Europe's next big superstar when he burst onto the scene as a teenager but he has flopped badly at a succession of clubs with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea (twice), Barcelona and now Milan.

Current ETV

João Félix

F (L), M (C)

Milan

João Félix

F (L), M (C)

Milan

ETV Range

€29.6M - €36.2M

Felix has been an unmitigated disaster since joining Milan on loan from Chelsea in January.

He will return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season and the Blues will try to sell him on. Former France, Milan and Chelsea legend Desailly believes that PSG are the club to rescue Felix.

What did Desailly say?

“Joao Felix is a player with great talent, but he has still not found his place,” Desailly told Sky Sport Italia.

“He’s been at Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, now Milan, without making any real impact. At this moment of his career, he needs a club with a clear philosophy that can build its project around him, put him at ease to express his potential that we still haven’t really seen. I would suggest Paris Saint-Germain.

“What Joao Felix lacks is not technique, but character. He is not a leader. At this moment, he is not what Milan need, because he lacks the mental strength to revive the Rossoneri. And vice versa.”

The former wonderkid was aiming to kickstart his career at Milan but after a bright debut his loan move has since been a disaster.

Felix completed a Deadline Day loan transfer to Milan on February 3, with no option to buy.

The 25-year-old made a bright start at San Siro by scoring a delightful dink on his debut in the Coppa Italia win over Roma.

There was immediate excitement in Milan at the prospect of Felix finally fulfilling his potential in Italy.

He has since played 12 matches, including seven starts, without scoring or assisting and he has been widely panned in the media and by supporters for his performances.

© IMAGO - Joao Felix scored on his Milan debut

Why Chelsea offloaded Felix

Chelsea decided to offload Felix in January after a disappointing season at Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for a whopping €52 million in August, with the Blues only agreeing a deal in order to ensure Conor Gallagher moved in the opposite direction.

However, Felix mustered three Premier League starts, amid competition from Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku.

As a result both player and club decided that a move away in January would be the best solution. But it has not worked out.

Joao Felix career

Felix burst onto the scene as a teenager with Benfica and was considered as one of the most exciting youngsters in world football.

This led to Atletico Madrid splashing out €126 million for Felix in 2019, which made him the fourth most expensive player of all time.

However, Felix struggled badly at Atletico to live up to his price tag. He didn’t benefit from Diego Simeone’s defensive style of play, and slowly fell out of favour. He managed just 34 goals in 131 games for the club.

He was loaned out to Chelsea and Barcelona in successive seasons, where he struggled to impress.

Despite this, Chelsea still decided to bring him back permanently last summer.

Once again, though, Felix failed to make the grade and managed one goal in 20 Premier League appearances.

He has won a Portuguese Primeira Liga, Spanish La Liga and a UEFA Nations League during his career.

He has been capped 45 times by Portugal, scoring nine goals.