Chelsea Player Has Firmly Reiterated His Decision To Leave Stamford Bridge: What Should The Blues Do? | OneFootball

João Félix has not had an easy time since leaving Lisbon. His arrival at Chelsea was a move that many saw as a second chance for a talent who failed to settle at Atlético de Madrid. However, the reality has been different. At Stamford Bridge, the Portuguese attacker has been trapped in an uncertain situation, marked by a lack of minutes, constant rotations and a team structure that never favoured him. After a lacklustre loan spell at Milan, the player has decided to make a move this summer. He wants to regain his joy. And he seems to have a clear idea of where he can do it.

Chelsea Player João Félix Has Firmly Reiterated His Decision To Leave Stamford Bridge

According to the Portuguese media A Bola, João Félix has communicated his desire to leave Chelsea in this summer market. The 24-year-old wants to return to Benfica, the club where he was born as a professional. In London, he has failed to adapt, and in Italy he barely showed flashes of talent. Chelsea do not have him among their top plans either, so a deal with the Lisbon outfit could be concluded without too many obstacles. The situation is heading towards a clean, drama-free conclusion. The player’s objective is to rediscover football and happiness.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Joao Felix of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 24, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Returning to Benfica could be the only reasonable way for him right now. We are not talking about the brilliant João of his first year in Madrid, but about a player who needs confidence, stability and a clear idea of the game. At Chelsea he has had little of that. The managers did not consider him indispensable and the club are already full of young attackers who have gained ground on him.

What Should The Blues Do?

At Benfica, on the other hand, they would welcome him with open arms. He knows the environment, the league and the club. He knows how to perform there. For Chelsea, letting Felix go does not represent a sporting or financial loss, as they have never managed to get a return on him. The ideal would be a definitive sale, without transfers or complicated formulas.

But beyond the obvious, there is something that is not mentioned so much. What if Felix is not made for elite football in England or Italy? What if he simply needs a less demanding situation to shine? Some players are not universal. They have specific fit points. The Portuguese, perhaps, fits better in a league like Portugal’s where technique outweighs physique. From that point of view, his return to Benfica is not a step backwards, it is an honest decision. Both Chelsea and the player would benefit, and perhaps football as well.