Does signing underachieving Joao Felix change Milan's 2025 potential?
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
João Félix to Milan
Milan paid $6.2 million for half-a-season of João Félix. There is no option or obligation to buy, with Félix only six months into a seven-year contract signed at Chelsea last summer.
Milan are also covering his sizeable wages. This transfer is all about the short-term, with Félix looking to get regular playing time after growing frustrated at Chelsea. A career that promised so much has yet to deliver anything of substance, as Félix has been shipped around Europe’s top clubs without ever finding a long-term home.
The details of this transfer mean the San Siro is probably another brief stop on Félix’s journeyman career. His impact could be significant, however, with the seven-time champions of Europe looking to force their way up the Serie A table and prolong their Champions League campaign.
Félix was a non-factor in soccer predictions through the first half of this season. Milan, lacking creativity and firepower in the final third, will be hoping the Portuguese forward can have a greater influence in Italy than he did in west London.
What Milan Needs From Félix
Wrestling with underachievement all season, Milan need to be less wasteful in the final third. They are third in expected goals generated in Serie A, yet their 1.5 goals per match ranks ninth in the league. Christian Pulisic is their only player with 10 goal involvements in the league.
Félix averages 0.48 goals per 90 minutes on 0.41 expected goals for his career. He’s a good, not great, finisher. His creative impact has varied depending on his role, with only 0.18 expected assists per 90 with Barcelona last season.
Led by Pulisic and Rafael Leao, Milan are already leading Serie A in dribbles per match.
Félix, averaging 4.12 progressive carriers per 90, will enhance that strength. Milan already tops the table for dribbles leading to a shot.
Under Sérgio Conceição, Félix’s versatility could prove to be his greatest asset. He’s at his best with freedom as a number 10, but he could lead the line if Conceição is unconvinced by Tammy Abraham. With Leao and Pulisic operating on the flanks, Félix can drop into midfield to link-up play or run beyond. This Milan team has space for the Portuguese international to flourish.
Time To Shine
Félix has already represented Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea. After shining as a teenager in his native Portugal, signing for Diego Simeone’s Atleti proved a mistake. He’s had only 16 goal involvements over 58 league appearances for Chelsea and Barcelona.
Milan have been a common landing spot for players in mid-career limbo. It has worked for some. For others, a brief stay has remained just that.
At only 25 years old, it’s far from now or never for Félix. He’s under contract with Chelsea for over half a decade.
It is, though, getting towards the point where we wonder if he will ever reach his potential. He doesn’t have to become a Ballon d’Or winner, but could he be a consistent difference-maker in the red and black of Milan?
Milan Futures Outlook
Following a rough first few months of the season, it’s perhaps the perfect stage for the loanee to break out. He has talent around him without being overshadowed, plus he’s got an opportunity to lead a second-half surge towards the Champions League places.
Enzo Maresca never gave Félix much of an opportunity this season, such was the spectacular form of Cole Palmer. He’s fresh with only 369 Premier League minutes and a handful of Conference League outings under his belt.
This Milan team is talented enough to finish in the top four of Serie A even if Félix flops.
If he takes to Italian football like others who have trodden a similar path, he could elevate the Rossoneri further.
After facing Roma this weekend, Conceição’s side have a string of winnable matches against Empoli, Verona, Torino, and Bologna. That seven-point deficit to fourth place could close quickly. Milan are a great bet at +370 for the top four at DraftKings, and we’ll be keeping a keen eye on their Champions League tie with Feyenoord.
