Former Benfica player hits Joao Felix with honest truth following Chelsea exit

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Joao Felix completed his move from Chelsea to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr on Tuesday.

Felix only joined Chelsea last summer, but after failing to break into their starting XI and a disappointing loan spell at AC Milan, he has now moved to Saudi Arabia.

Benfica were also interested in signing Felix, but they could not find an agreement with Chelsea, giving Al-Nassr an opportunity to swoop in and land the forward.

One former Benfica player has now been discussing Felix following his move to the Saudi Pro League.

• READ MORE: Why Joao Felix’s move from Chelsea to Al-Nassr nearly collapsed, Blues were not happy

Fabio Faria tells Joao Felix people are starting to doubt his worth after Chelsea exit

Fabio Faria, who only ever played one game for Benfica, was one person who was hoping to see Felix return to the Portuguese club.

The 25-year-old left Benfica for Atletico Madrid in 2019 in a mega £113m deal but failed to live up to the price tag. Now finding himself in Saudi Arabia, Faria has sent a very honest message to his compatriot.

“Returning to Benfica made perfect sense, especially because things haven’t been easy for Joao recently,” Faria told Desporto ao Minuto in an exclusive interview.

“He hasn’t been able to establish himself, people are starting to doubt his worth, and a return home, to a club where he’s adored by everyone, I think would be beneficial for Joao, but his choices were different and I hope everything goes well.”

In the end, Felix made just nine starts under Enzo Maresca before his loan move to Milan and never played for Chelsea again.

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin expected big things from Felix in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, but the Portuguese could just not deliver.

Fabio Faria makes prediction about Joao Felix’s future

Felix’s contract at Al-Nassr expires in 2027, so the former Chelsea man may not actually remain in Saudi Arabia for too long.

If Felix decides to return to Europe, Faria thinks Benfica could still be an option for the Portugal international.

“Joao Felix is 25 years old, in two years, which is when his contract ends, he will be 27 or 28 years old,” Faria added. “He is still a player who will be at the peak of his age and could still give a lot to Benfica.

“If there were an agreement that would allow Joao to leave for free in two years, it would be an option for Benfica in the future. I think it could be important, but it also depends on Joao and his performance at Al-Nassr. It’s a completely different league than playing in Europe. We’ll see how Joao is in two years.”

Whatever happens during his time in Saudi Arabia, from a financial point of view, Felix would have profited by going there.

Felix’s Al-Nassr contract is thought to be worth £15m a year. It is no surprise, then, that he found it hard to turn down a move to the Saudi Pro League.