New Chelsea signing Joao Felix has been slammed for not being "humble enough."
The Portuguese forward, 23, has joined the Blues on a six-month loan from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, with whom he spent three-and-a-half years struggling to find his feet under manager Diego Simeone. Felix is now looking to start anew in West London, with Chelsea reportedly splashing out more than £9million just to have him until the end of the season.
But former Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares isn't convinced that the Blues loanee, who left Benfica for a club-record £113m in the summer of 2019, has the "personality" to match his talent. When asked about Felix's disappointing time with Atletico, the ex- Real Madrid and Valencia shot-stopper told Radio Marca : "The club is not to blame for anything about Joao Felix.
"On the contrary, they placed a trust in him that perhaps he did not deserve, he was hired for a fortune. He has talent, but he has to change his personality. He is the most affected because the club paid an amount that perhaps was for more established players." Canizares scathingly added: "[Simeone] is partly to blame for not being able to exploit him.
"But the most important thing a coach can count on is the player's will and the player has never been humble enough to overcome difficult moments within the club. When he has not seen himself starting, he has twisted his nose; when he has seen that he is not the leader of the team, he has not taken a step forward."
Chelsea boss Graham Potter certainly thinks that his new no.11 can have a more positive impact at Stamford Bridge, saying: He is a quality player, and he will make a difference in the final third of the pitch. He is young, but has really good experience. The signing gives everybody a lift.
"He is a good age and he can play as a second striker between the lines and making a difference in the final third. We are looking forward to working with him. We have been aware of it for a while, these things do not happen quickly. Maybe the injuries have sharpened the focus a little bit. It is nice to get him here, get him training today and it is positive for us."
Felix could make his debut on Thursday evening when the Blues travel to face West London rivals Fulham in a crucial Premier League fixture. "We will see for the game. We are waiting for the confirmation on that, if he can play," Potter added of the 23-year-old. "He has been training regularly and has had game time, so from a physical perspective he can go straight in.
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"There is always an unknown going from country to country, and there's always an adaptation period but in terms of how long that takes can go from player to player. I see a confident person and player that can can impose himself on the game.
"His personality traits are that he can take the ball in tight spaces and make passes. He compliments what we have, he is a nice addition as clearly he is a talented player who can help the team."
