BREAKING NEWS: “A return to Chelsea would only kill my career even more—I’d rather move to Saudi Arabia than go back there. I’ve endured enough, and I’m finally finding peace at AC Milan. Why would I return to a club that doesn’t believe in its own players? Especially with him still there, everything is bound to go wrong. Chelsea is crumbling quietly from the inside this is not the club we used to know.
João Félix is anticipated to be part of the starting lineup for AC Milan in their match against Bologna tonight. According to a recent report, this game could potentially mark his final appearance in a Milan jersey. The Italian sports news outlet Calciomercato.com described this moment as “a last opportunity to alter what appears to be a predetermined outcome,” implying that this may be Félix’s last chance to prove his worth before his departure.
The team is currently facing a few key absences, with Rafael Leão unavailable due to suspension and Christian Pulisic likely being rested for this fixture. As a result, Félix is expected to be given a starting role, playing alongside Samuel Chukwueze just behind central striker Santiago Giménez.
Félix, who hails from Portugal, joined AC Milan on a temporary loan deal from Chelsea and is due to return to his parent club once the loan expires on June 30. Although he made a promising start to his time in Italy—most notably by scoring a goal against Roma in the Coppa Italia—his overall contribution has fallen below expectations. In 15 appearances for Milan, he has added only a single assist to that early goal and has generally delivered performances that failed to impress fans and critics alike. Even the support and belief shown in him by coach Sérgio Conceição could not reignite the spark in his game, leading to him eventually being dropped from the regular starting eleven.
Milan, as a club, is currently undergoing a period of transition, with key leadership positions like the sporting director and head coach still unfilled. Amid this uncertainty, one thing seems fairly evident: the club is unlikely to pursue further negotiations with Chelsea to either extend or renew Félix’s stay beyond the current agreement.
Ongoing Interest Despite Struggles at Milan
Even though Félix has struggled to make a strong impact at AC Milan, he continues to attract interest from other clubs. Brazilian side Flamengo made an official approach to sign him, which was subsequently rejected. Additionally, Benfica—his former club—has also shown interest in re-signing him, particularly with the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup set to begin on June 14.
Félix’s future now rests largely in the hands of his agent, Jorge Mendes, who is responsible for securing the next phase of the 25-year-old forward’s career. Interestingly, despite the challenges he faced in Milan, Félix hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of returning. In a recent interview, he spoke positively about the club, the city of Milan, and the high standards at the team’s training facility, Milanello.
“Before I received the offer, I used to watch Milan’s matches and always thought it would be a dream to play for them. When the opportunity finally came, I immediately asked my agent to make it happen—and he did,” Félix said in a statement to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
While the loan transfer process went smoothly and he arrived with high hopes, the actual experience on the pitch has been far less rewarding. Tonight’s game against Bologna may serve more as a farewell appearance than a chance for redemption. With his return to Chelsea expected to take place within the next month, the focus will soon shift to determining where João Félix will continue his professional journey.
