Huge blow for Chelsea star with future thrown into doubt

Chelsea’s season went from bad to worse on Tuesday evening as they were dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by reigning champions Real Madrid. 

A second-half brace by Rodrygo was enough to earn Real, who already boasted a 2-0 first leg advantage, a place in the last four of the competition.

The Blues, who currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, were relying on a third Champions League triumph in order to qualify for next season’s competition, but now face failure to qualify for any European competition next term.

Their European exit has left Chelsea’s season in disarray, and the future remains uncertain with those in charge of the club yet to appoint a successor to former manager Graham Potter who was sacked last month.

Now, it appears that one of Chelsea’s biggest stars is also facing an extremely uncertain future.

According to Cadenaser via The Mail, Spanish side Atletico Madrid are increasingly concerned that the London side will not want to sign Joao Felix permanently this summer.

The Portugal international arrived in west London in January but has so far failed to make much of an impression at Stamford Bridge.

Felix has failed to find his best form since moving to London

In 15 appearances across all competitions, the forward has netted just two goals and failed to provide a single assist.

Atletico are said to be keen to move Felix on this summer and had initially hoped that Chelsea would make an approach to sign the player permanently, but they are now wary that The Blues’ interest may have dwindled.

The Spanish side are also hoping that Newcastle United will renew their interest in the Portuguese, with The Magpies having made an attempt to sign the player in January, prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.

When Felix joined Chelsea it was rumoured that the player had fallen out with Atletico manager Diego Simeone, but it now appears that those in charge of the club could once again be faced with a dilemma as to what to do.

The forward, who cost £113 million when Atletico signed him from Benfica in 2019, had made just 14 appearances for Atletico this season before making his move in January.

In total, the 23-year-old has scored 34 goals in 131 matches for Atletico across all competitions.