Real Madrid legend recommended club to sign Chelsea new arrival back in 2017 | OneFootball

Joao Felix’s recent move to Chelsea has caught significant attention, putting an end to his disastrous tenure at Atletico Madrid after a series of loan spells.

The deal signifies the end of his tumultuous journey with Atletico, a club that initially invested over €100 million in him following Antoine Griezmann’s departure to Barcelona.

Felix, who arrived with great expectations to lead the next generation, departs with a reputation of unfulfilled potential—a player capable of brilliance but lacking the consistency needed to truly shine at the highest level.

Guti’s appreciation for Felix

This sense of Felix being a unique yet erratic talent was evident early in his career and former Real Madrid midfielder and coach Guti shared an anecdote about Felix on the television programme El Chiringuito.

Guti suggested Joao Felix to Real Madrid in 2017. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Guti recalled encountering Felix during the Youth League while coaching Real Madrid’s Juvenil A team in 2017. He was struck by the Portuguese’s exceptional abilities, describing him as a player far above the rest in terms of skill and potential.

“I lived with Joao Felix in the Youth League… and this kid was over the top. It was ridiculous that he played against us … We had to sign this kid. I told Real Madrid that,” said Guti as quoted by SPORT.

Felix’s performance was indeed remarkable—scoring three goals against Guti’s side, leaving a lasting impression.

“He would leave everyone behind and say ‘we have to sign this kid’. He scored three goals against us. It was brutal,” Guti added.

Now 24, Felix hopes to finally find the stability that has eluded him in recent years at Chelsea. However, he joins a club currently undergoing significant changes, with a new manager and an overcrowded squad.

The challenge for Felix will be to carve out a role for himself in a team that is still searching for its identity and a consistent starting lineup.