Joao Felix’s hopes of establishing himself at Chelsea were dashed just six months after rejoining the club, as he moved to AC Milan on loan until the end of the season.

Despite seeking stability, the Portuguese forward struggled for game time, making only 12 Premier League appearances, with just three starts.

The main factor? Cole Palmer. The 22-year-old has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season, netting 14 league goals and thriving in the no.10 role, which left little room for Felix in Enzo Maresca’s plans.

Maresca openly admitted the difficulty in fitting Felix, Palmer, and Christopher Nkunku into the same lineup, further limiting opportunities for the former Atlético Madrid star.

Now facing another reset at Milan for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign, Felix’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge remains uncertain.