10 February 2023 , 07:59
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Joao Felix has admitted his future beyond the summer is up in the air as he prepares to return for consideration for Chelsea.
The attacker joined the Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window until the end of the season. But he was shown a straight red card 58 minutes into his debut during the Blues' dreadful defeat to Fulham, being suspended for their last three games as a result.
In his absence, Chelsea continued to spend big, with the signings of Mykhaylo Mudryk and David Datro Fofana. That has led to doubts emerging over the likelihood of Felix being brought back to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis when his loan deal ends.
It appears that Felix himself is also unsure of his future beyond the end of the season. the Portugal international has confirmed that Chelsea do not have an option to buy included in the loan agreement, meaning they would have to strike a deal with Atletico.
"You don't have a purchase option. They would have to reach an agreement with Atlético. I've only been here a few weeks, a month. I am knowing everything. I am very comfortable, but the future nobody knows," he told AS.
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"It is a great club, as we all know. The structures are very, very good, they have everything. He has a lot of people around the team so that everything is fine and that makes the difference. It is very well structured.
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Felix was sent off on his debut against Fulham after a horror challenge (Visionhaus/Getty Images)"It is clearly noticeable, due to the signings and everything. The club is also changing inside, new people are getting in and they are in a phase of changes. You can tell that it is a club that has a lot of money."
Potter admitted his frustration at seeing Felix sent off before even playing a full game for his new club. But the Blues boss also insisted that his performance against Fulham made his quality clear to see.
“It was a forward's tackle, there was no malice in it but I understand why it was a red. It is another blow; the hits keep coming at the moment. It is one of those really tough moments for us," Potter said after the defeat at Craven Cottage.
"Everything that seems to be going wrong is at the moment. He was really good you could see his quality in the game so it is doubly disappointing for us.
"You can see his quality. He is a top, top player. He took the ball, caused danger. On another day he could have scored and it makes it more frustrating we are going to lose him for three games.”
Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by the Cottagers last Friday, extending their unbeaten run to three games. With Felix back in contention, they will be looking to close the gap on the European qualification places with a win over West Ham.