Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has described new signing Joao Felix as ‘unbelievable’ and admitted his surprise in seeing Atletico Madrid loan him out for the rest of the season.
Felix was one of eight new signings Todd Boehly sanctioned in the January transfer window, with the Portuguese joining in a loan deal worth £9million.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed mixed fortunes since joining the west London club, after being sent off on his debut at Fulham, only to dazzle during his return from suspension as he netted his first goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.
Following his impressive display against the Hammers, Azpilicueta has said that the forward has been ‘amazing’ in training since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
Talking ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, the Spaniard agreed that Felix is a special talent and believes he’ll have a big impact on the team.
‘I knew him from Atletico Madrid when we played against them and from watching their games in La Liga’. Said Azpilicueta.
‘I was quite surprised when he arrived because we know the quality he has. He’s amazing in training and in the last game against West Ham, he showed the way he can turn, create spaces, play passes.
‘In training, he has been unbelievable, honestly very good. He scored the other day too and that will help with his confidence.
‘He is a young boy with great experience and great confidence, who is making already a big impact in the team.
‘I am looking forward to seeing him in the team and performing at this level.’
Felix is part of the near £600m outlay that Boely has made over the last two transfer windows, and as one of the longest-serving members of the Chelsea squad, Azpiliceuta has been part of the blues welcoming committee.
‘It’s been a bit of a busier January transfer than before but in my role, I try to help the new players adapt as quickly as possible to the team,’ He added.
‘In football, sometimes you don’t have a lot of time to start your journey in a new club, country, a different language.
‘So from my side, I’ve been trying to help integrate them as quickly as possible in the team so that they can express themselves and show their quality, like a few of the boys have done already. I think we have exciting times ahead.’
Chelsea go into the Champions League last sixteen clash on a run that has seen them win just one game in 2023 and slip to 10th place in the Premier League – ten points off the top four.
Dortmund meanwhile have won all six matches since the start of the year and are up to third in the Bundesliga.