Joao Felix DITCHED by Chelsea as new boss Pochettino tells club not to make £15m loan permanent

Chelsea will not be signing loanee Joao Felix on a permanent deal this summer.

The Atletico Madrid forward joined the Premier League side on loan in January and played 20 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and recording no assists.

And new manager Mauricio Pochettino has already decided he does not want to complete a £15million permanent deal for the Portugese star.

In a ruthless first move, the Argentine has ditched the player Atletico signed for £113m – the fourth-most expensive transfer of all time – in 2019. 

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has confirmed the Blues will not be taking up the opportunity to sign Felix, adding that he will return to the Spanish capital.

Joao Felix has been ditched by Chelsea in a ruthless move from new boss Mauricio Pochettino

He joined Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in January and has scored four goals in 20 games

But in a ruthless first move as the new boss, Mauricio Pochettino has ditched the Portuguese

Cerezo told Spanish outlet AS: ‘Yesterday we had the news that the new Chelsea manager (Pochettino) does not (want) João Félix. 

‘We’ve known for less than 24 hours.

‘He’ll come back here and we’ll see. We don’t have anything planned.’

The news will come as a significant blow to the gifted 23-year-old, who has spoken openly about his desire to stay in west London.

Felix admitted he prefers the attacking and creative freedom he gets at Chelsea, in a clear dig at defensively minded Atletico boss Diego Simeone.

Though his contract was extended for another four years, until 2027, before his loan deal to the Blues was confirmed, he is out of favour with Simeone and Atletico despite his impeding return. 

More to follow…