Joao Felix’s time at Chelsea appears to be drawing to a close, with clear signs pointing to an exit. He has been excluded from the Club World Cup squad and stripped of his No.14 shirt—now handed to new £18 million arrival Dário Essugo.
After joining from Atletico Madrid for £46.3 million last August, Felix failed to cement his place under Enzo Maresca. A January loan to AC Milan offered little improvement, as the Italian club opted not to pursue a permanent deal.
Meanwhile, Benfica president Rui Costa has expressed interest in bringing Felix back to the club where he first turned professional. However, he admitted that Benfica lacks the financial capacity to afford such a transfer.
Chelsea, actively planning squad changes this summer, also excluded Raheem Sterling from the Club World Cup list, highlighting a broader shift in their strategy as they explore multiple departures from the current roster.