‘I was not doing well’: 23-year-old felt he had no choice but to join Chelsea in January for fresh start

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Former Chelsea loanee Joao Felix says he had to get out of Atletico Madrid in January after his struggles at the Spanish club.

Joao Felix‘s spell at Stamford Bridge did not exactly go to plan in the end, but the forward felt it was necessary to leave Atletico for a new environment.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he said: “It’s clear to everyone, whoever is in a bad place has to change places. I did it before with Chelsea and I have done it now with Barcelona because I was not doing well [at Atletico].”

Felix has departed Atletico temporarily again, this time joining Barcelona, where he is currently thriving.

The 23-year-old scored two goals and provided one assist in his side’s 5-0 Champions League win against Antwerp on Tuesday.

Chelsea not the right environment for Joao Felix

Felix was only able to score four goals during his short stint at Stamford Bridge, but you cannot blame the Portugal international for not being able to thrive in west London.

He was in such an unstable environment, with Graham Potter struggling before eventually being sacked and replaced by Frank Lampard.

Felix was not the only new arrival in January either, so it was not like he was coming into a settled team where everyone knew what they were doing.

Barcelona may have their problems off the pitch, but on it they have looked like a proper side again under Xavi. It is no surprise that Felix is showing what he is truly capable of at the Spotify Camp Nou.

Felix has a lot of talent, so it is a shame that it did not work out for him at Chelsea. He would not be a bad asset to have now with the injuries piling up at Stamford Bridge.