As new uncertainties surround Joao Felix’s future under Diego Simeone, the player has been advised to remain focused and wait for his moment to come again at Atletico Madrid.
The Portugal forward was heralded as a potential superstar when he was signed from Benfica in July 2019 for an eye-watering €126 million.
Since then, Joao Felix has only produced a meager 29 goals and 16 assists in 122 games for Atletico, and despite being a LaLiga champion during that time, he has fallen short of expectations.
Get Instantly Update By: Joining Our Whatapps and Telegram Channel
In an attempt to accept accountability, head coach Simeone said this week: “All those negative characteristics from Joao’s performances suggest I am performing even worse.
All of his disappointments are a result of my inability to provide for all of his necessities in order for him to fully develop his football skill.
Simeone said: “We need him, but lately he hasn’t been able to score, which is what matters most to him. That clearly irritates him. He is essential to us, and his efforts will lead to those outcomes.
These remarks were made prior to Atletico being held to a 0-0 draw by Club Brugge on Wednesday in the Champions League, with Joao Felix later spotted throwing down his substitute bib in anger after sitting out the match.
Antoine Griezmann was replaced by Axel Witsel as Simeone made his final change in the 79th minute, even though the team still needed a goal.
Joao Felix was visibly frustrated, but teammate Geoffrey Kondogbia remarked, “It’s typical. Everybody wants to play.
“Since it is a personal matter, we can only offer him counsel. I experienced that as well. Sometimes you feel angry.
It is not a significant incident, but it does occur in football. Simply wait for your moment to arrive and give it your all, just like everyone else.
It is debatable whether this should be happening to a player in whom Atletico has made a significant investment, as well as if Simeone and Joao Felix can work together in the future without developing a poisonous working relationship.
The partnership is “in the worst time,” according to Spanish sports daily Marca, which also referred to the current state as “unsustainable.”
Joao Felix was a hugely promising player when Atletico acquired him, and they would have expected him to be producing steadily by now. However, the 22-year-old keeps switching between the starting lineup and the bench.
He has participated in 11 games this season, starting just seven of them, and has primarily watched recent games. Only three assists, all of which came in the first LaLiga match against Getafe, have been associated with his goals.
Simeone has already removed Joao Felix six times this season when he started the game from the opening whistle.
He has started only 80 games for Atleti throughout his career, entered 42 games as a substitute, and left the game 58 times.
Defender Joao Felix’s outburst during the Brugge game was not witnessed by Jose Gimenez, but he claimed it was acceptable and even good.
Gimenez remarked, “I suppose he was angry since he didn’t play. “I want in my squad rebel players that want to play, that you can tell that they want to play, and that when they have the opportunity to play they show this rage, want to give it everything, and earn the minutes on the pitch that they deserve,” said the player.
The LaLiga matchup between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao is coming up on Saturday, and it’s inevitable that Simeone’s use of Joao Felix will come under scrutiny once more in light of the apparent act of dissent in the Brugge game.
Simeone had previously stated: “Joao is a very essential player for this club and also for the team.” prior to the match against the Belgian champions.