How Chelsea's 'impossible' demands stopped Joao Felix being able to face them in the Champions League
Joao Felix could have been taking on his former club Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Chelsea face Benfica at Stamford Bridge, and Jose Mourinho’s side were interested in re-signing their former player during the summer transfer window.
Al-Nassr were also keen on Renato Veiga, but in the end, they were only able to land his Portugal teammate Felix.
However, had ex-Benfica manager Bruno Lage had things his way, Felix would be at the Estadio da Luz right now.
Bruno Lage claims Chelsea’s demands for Joao Felix were ‘impossible’
Lage and Benfica were desperate to see Felix return to the club, but Chelsea’s demands were simply too much.
In an interview with A Bola, Lage explained: “Chelsea, which paid what it did for Joao, was always intransigent about the fees to be paid, and it would be very difficult for Benfica, despite having done almost everything possible to bring back a homegrown player.
“Joao showed a huge desire to return to Benfica and also understood the entire team I was trying to build, where he could be a very important piece, but Chelsea’s demands were impossible.”
Benfica’s loss has been Al-Nassr’s gain, with the forward absolutely thriving in Saudi Arabia.
In just four Saudi Pro League games, Felix has managed to score five goals. There is no doubt that he would have been one of Benfica’s danger men for Tuesday’s Champions League clash had he joined them instead.
Felix has also dazzled for Portugal, shining for Roberto Martinez’s side in the last international break. If Felix keeps playing like this, it may not be long before he returns to Europe.
Bruno Lage’s conversation with Joao Felix
Lage was really determined to bring Felix back to Benfica, informing his compatriot in a conversation that he would talk to the club’s president to try and get a deal done.
“I started to believe Joao could come,” Lage said. “He’s arriving in Portugal, and I’m leaving on vacation. I was at the airport when I received his statement and called him.
“I spoke to him and told him that if he said that publicly, he was opening doors, and I would speak to the president to make his wishes come true, as it was everyone’s wish.”
Had Benfica signed Felix, maybe the former Chelsea man could have helped prevent Lage from being sacked by winning the team more games.
While things did not work out for him at Stamford Bridge, Felix is still an individual with a lot of talent. It is why he has had spells at Chelsea, Benfica, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
It is no wonder that Lage wanted him in his side, but Chelsea were only ever going to sell Felix on their terms.
from Chelsea FC Latest News & Club Updates | The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/m9EBlw7
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