Chelsea fans urge Clearlake to listen and sign £44m playmaker for a third time
It is approaching four years since Chelsea signed Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. The Portugal star played for Chelsea across two different spells, and now he’s looking for a way back to Europe.
Back in January 2023, Chelsea agreed a loan deal for Felix. He played 20 times in all competitions for the Blues during the second half of the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals and laying on another assist.
He didn’t shine, but Chelsea still signed Felix a year later, completing a £47m move to Stamford Bridge. He played another 20 times for Chelsea, scoring seven more goals and laying on a second Blues assist.
After a loan at AC Milan, Felix was then offloaded to Al Nassr, with Chelsea giving up on the Portugal star. Out in Saudi Arabia, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, Felix has rediscovered his best form.
Joao Felix shares desire to return to a Champions League club
Still only 26, Felix had all the potential in the world. Now, he is showing it, but in the Middle East. In 55 games since leaving Chelsea for £44m in 2025, the 59-time Portugal star has had a hand in 52 goals.
Speaking after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway, Felix was quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying that he dreams of returning to Europe at some stage and playing in the Champions League once again.
Chelsea should have given Joao Felix more time… 🪄
45 G/A in 47 games!
“I am very happy at Al-Nassr. I have it in mind to return to Europe, though perhaps not immediately. I don’t know if it will be at the end of this season or the end of the next one; I want to go back to Europe.
“[I want to] play in the Champions League again and compete there. It is always different. Playing in Europe, playing in the Champions League, playing against the best teams in the world,” Felix said.
Chelsea fans consider signing Felix for a third time
If Chelsea were to sign Felix, it would be the third time. The loan spell came at a time when he had little time to settle. His second spell came under Enzo Maresca, who didn’t give him a Premier League chance.
Chelsea fans responded to Felix’s comments, and some want him back. “Homecoming again, who says no?” was the response of one Chelsea fan, who feels Felix could still offer something at Stamford Bridge.
Another posted on social media: “Back to Chelsea”, while one responded to his comments by saying “round 3?”, in that a move to Chelsea would be the third time that the Blues secured Felix’s signature.
One fan simply replied to his latest comments in the media by saying “bring”, urging Clearlake to bring him to Stamford Bridge for a third time. The feeling is that Felix would improve Xabi Alonso’s side.
Why Chelsea could actually need Felix more than ever
His form in the Middle East has not gone unnoticed, certainly by Chelsea. Winning the Saudi Pro League last season saw Felix earn Chelsea a bonus payment of £4m. He is back to his best and Chelsea need a 10.
The reason being is that behind Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, Chelsea lack attacking midfield cover. Estevao can play there, but is preferred out wide. The next-best attacking midfielder is in the U21 side.
Bringing Felix back to West London would give Chelsea some top-quality cover between the lines. His goals during the international break – one against Wales, one against Denmark – prove he is firing again.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
