Gary Neville has questioned why Chelsea didn't include an option-to-buy in the loan deal which brought Joao Felix to Stamford Bridge in January. The 23-year-old forward scored the Blues' only goal against Manchester United in a disappointing 4-1 defeat on Thursday night.
football.london exclusively revealed that there is no option or obligation for the west Londoners to sign Felix permanently. The Portugal international agreed a contract extension with Atletico Madrid before leaving on loan, protecting his value should he offloaded in the future, which is believed to be a 'real possibility'.
In March, Felix suggested that he would be open to the prospect of staying at Stamford Bridge but, a month later, the Spanish giants confirmed that he will be welcomed back to the Metropolitano Stadium with open arms. As Felix continues to impress in an underperforming side, Neville has baulked at the fact that Chelsea didn't insert an option-to-buy.
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During his co-commentary of the Blues' clash against United on Sky Sports, Neville said: "He [Felix] is a proper player, just the way he moves with the ball it looks different.
"He is so in control, class, real class, he has options in front of him but thinks no I am going to go on my own, really good finish. They [Chelsea] have signed everybody but the one player they should have an option on they haven't got."
Neville isn't the only pundit which thinks that Chelsea should do whatever it takes to sign Felix this summer – so does Frank Leboeuf. Speaking to ESPN, the 55-year-old said: "Joao Felix is a great player. I think he’s the most dangerous player, the most entertaining player, the most artistic player at Chelsea right now
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"He’s been pretty consistent too, almost every game he creates something. Hopefully Chelsea will be able to sell a few players – maybe Pulisic and Mount – and can then get Felix on a permanent.
"It would be a lot of money, that’s the only worry for the owners. But in terms of a football player, I would sign him."
Felix has featured 15 times for Chelsea in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards just four goals. Despite a slight return in the final third, he's proven to be a live wire who has lifted supporters from their seats.
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