Perfect return:

Chelsea bring in Felix and now have over 40 (!) players

Chelsea have signed Portuguese attacker Joao Felix. The 24-year-old signed a seven-year contract with the Premier League club, as announced on Wednesday.

According to English media reports, Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid over 50 million euros for Felix.

Felix already played for Chelsea on loan in the 2022/23 season and impressed back then. Last season, he was loaned out by Atletico to FC Barcelona. The Madrilenians had once signed the Portuguese from Benfica Lisbon for 126 million euros, but coach Diego Simeone no longer relied on him. "It's a chance for me to find a home," Felix was quoted as saying in a Chelsea statement.

Half of the 40-man squad trains separately
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca was very pleased with the latest additions. Over 40 professionals are currently in the club's squad. But he is only working with 21, Maresca insisted on Wednesday. "The other 15 or 20 are training on the sidelines," reported the Italian. The England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are among those who have been sent off. It's not a pleasant situation as a player, said Maresca. "But I think it's good to know that if you want to stay, you'll have a hard time getting minutes."