What has Happened to Joao Felix?

Four to five seasons ago, we were looking at a future star, a potential Ballon D'or winner from Benfica. I wouldn't say he was the first who has gotten on this list, but I will put him up there with the rest.

Joao was the real deal at such a young age, physicality apart. And he did have 1 to 2 good seasons at Atleti, which was commendable. Because during this period, I saw a more mature Joao Felix, physically strong, and protecting the ball perfectly, and being more clinical. I will save all the gratitude to Simeone because that's what defensive football does to you. We have seen that with Saul Niguez, but I wouldn't want to emphasize too much on that.

Personally, I think it is as a result of wrong decision, really. Atleti was bad for him at first. He could have nicked it at Manchester City. A player of his qualities under the tutelage of Pep is another alien machine waiting to be unleashed.

I would sympathize with him as a young player who believes he needed more playing time then. But he has made some wrong calls in his career, and I think he knows it. One could sense that in his body language. 4 goals in La Liga and 4 goals at Chelsea—an exception to their woeful season. I think Joao didn't just fall off the pecking order based on the misunderstanding he had with Simeone because he was also left out or subbed off often before and during the World Cup. Thankfully, the minutes he was able to get could be attributed to the absence of Diego Jota.

I think it is an attitude thing; Frank Lampard mentioned something similar. And if I were Joao, I would be worried. There must be something Pochettino saw to have ruled out the idea of Chelsea giving him a permanent deal before his arrival. And that is worrisome and even stranger if managers don't want to work with you.

He needs to look back now, dust it all up, and get his act together. He needs to put in the work, focus on his pressing, and concentrate more on playing with the team.

He sees himself as a big player, and I guess in his head, that has affected his output. If not careful, he tends to lose it. He won't be the first; we have seen this thing happen with the likes of James Rodriguez. When a player stops taking instructions, stops feeling he is bigger than the team or better than those around him, he unknowingly stops playing football.

A move to a team with a manager who knows how to push players beyond their limits will do. I would have said Manchester United, but I don't think Erik Ten Hag fancies him as a player. But if the likes of Newcastle proposed another loan deal, I would go!

Opting to go to PSG with reports linking Mourinho to the Paris Giant is just another Diego Simeone waiting to happen over and over again