Despite playing just 58 minutes, Joao Felix showed on his debut against Fulham exactly what Chelsea were missing after many drab attacking performances in the first half of the season. The Atletico Madrid loanee was sharp on the half turn and provided a number of incisive runs and touches, however his first appearance in blue was marred significantly by his red card with Chelsea going on to lose 2-1.
The Portugal international served the final match of his three-game suspension last weekend and is therefore available for Chelsea this weekend where they take on West Ham in the Premier League. Fortunately for Graham Potter, during Felix's ban he has been able to call on Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, three names not in the squad at Craven Cottage, and now Felix can once again join that attacking list for the Blues' trip to the London Stadium on Saturday
Felix can also make his Champions League debut for the club against Borrusia Dortmund after being added to their knockout stage 25-man squad alongside fellow winter signings Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, with Benoit Badiashile a major omission.
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The defender, also signed in January, missed out on a place because of UEFA's rules that state only three new signings can be added to the squad initially submitted at the start of the season. Although Felix's spell at Stamford Bridge is temporary and therefore leaving him out of the squad would not cause long-term morale issues, his experience on the European stage could prove invaluable for Chelsea.
A permanent deal for Felix has been mooted by Chelsea, although Atletico's high demands surrounding a departure for the 23-year-old would likely see any interest in that dissipate come the expiry of his loan move.
However, the Spanish clubs' own plan for transfer incomings could give Chelsea a huge boost with regard to signing Felix permanently. According to Marca, Borussia Monchengladbach star Marcus Thuram, who will leave the club in the summer at the end of his contract, is being eyed up by Diego Simeone.
Memphis Depay was signed from Barcelona in January after Atletico sanctioned exits for Matheus Cunha and Felix, with the Dutchmen joining Alvaro Morata, Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann as attackers at the club. The report from Marca also indicates that for Atletico to sign Thuram one of those five players, with Felix set to return in the summer, will likely need to leave the club.
Given Felix's stance surrounding his happiness in the Spanish capital he could be the one to push for a move away and depending on how the remainder of his spell at Chelsea plays out, he could head back to west London but this time is set for an extended stay.
If Atletico were to sign Thuram, who is also of interest to Bayern Munich, no transfer fee would be paid which could in turn see them lower their demands for Felix and thus make it far easier for Chelsea to be able to afford.
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