For João Félix it was anything but a glorious return to Madrid on Wednesday. In Spain they saw their idea about the Portuguese Chelsea mercenary confirmed.
João Félix is being filleted: “That’s the first thing you learn as a striker”
Félix returned to Madrid as a mercenary, the city where he was never really able to live up to his transfer fee of more than 120 million euros with Atlético. In the Spanish capital, the Portuguese attacker could not live up to it again. He was not involved against Real Madrid.
For MARCA, this prompted a caustic comment. “What excuse will he have now?” they asked. “He started, played poorly and was substituted in the 65th minute. Same story as with Atlético, only this time there is no Diego Simeone to blame. He’ll still have a great career, but he needs to realise he’s a lot less than he thinks he is.”
Félix’s performance against Real Madrid was also cracked in England. “Fasted a huge chance in the second minute and then disappeared from the game,” The Telegraph told The Telegraph of the 4 handed out for the Portuguese.
Félix had a great opportunity to do Chelsea and himself a favour. But his attempt to break the spell early in the game failed. Former international Thierry Henry told CBS Sports Golazo what the Portuguese did wrong.
“He should have cut in. That’s the first thing you learn as a striker. If defenders are in pursuit, cut in. Slow or fast, it gives you the advantage of a one-on-one duel or a red card,” said Henry. “But you’re thinking too hard. If you don’t score, you have the feeling that time passes quickly and that you don’t have the rest anymore.”
Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard protects Félix
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard defended Félix: “It was a tough game for him and Raheem Sterling because of the defensive system. They had a lot of work to do. It was a tough game for us in the front part of the field. João is a great talent, just like Raheem. I’m not here to criticise too much. We’ll leave here and analyse it.”
