Sometimes, everything a footballer needs to deliver the goods on the pitch is to feel loved and comfortable in his surroundings. Take Joao Felix as an example. While at Atletico Madrid, he was often a victim of Diego Simeone’s rigid system. Now – he’s allowed to soar at Chelsea.Even though the Blues failed to take three points in their Saturday’s match against West Ham United, Joao Felix produced another fine performance, that saw the English press heap praise on the light-footed Portuguese.Man United’s late blitzkrieg – Rashford keeps the title hopes aliveThe Portuguese scored his first goal for Chelsea against West Ham, connecting well with a brilliant pass from fellow new signing Enzo Fernandez.West Ham responded through an Emerson strike to deny the Blues all three points but the on-loan star says it’s been quite easy to bed in as a Chelsea player because of the quality of players around him.##NAJAVA_MECA_7014750##Speaking after the all-London encounter, Joao Felix looked and sounded like a man who enjoys what he’s doing – and where he’s doing it.”I think we did enough to win, but this is football and you have to accept that West Ham defended well throughout the game. In the first 30 minutes, we had the ball in the net three times, two obviously cancelled out for offside, but at this point we were looking strong. Playing in this team with the quality around me, it’s easy. We all connect well and I think there are signs of that happening.”A lovely first Premier League goal for Joao Felix! 👏 pic.twitter.com/nPWt1BcAHt— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 11, 2023 Despite two more dropped points, Felix’s performance represented a real source of encouragement for Chelsea and their under-fire manager Graham Potter. Even West Ham captain Declan Rice admitted he and his teammates struggled to get to grips with the movement of the former Benfica youngster.”The way Felix worked from side to side to get on the ball and find space he’s an unbelievable player. I noticed that straight away. You have to be really on your game with players like him.”It will be a sad day for Joao when he goes back to Atletico – so Todd Boehly better get the cash ready to buy him.
