One goal in 688 minutes—Joao Felix’s record at Milan has hardly justified Sergio Conceição’s persistent decision to give him playing time despite his steadily declining performances.
On the contrary, the coach’s insistence on either starting the Chelsea loanee or keeping him on the pitch—often at the expense of fellow Rossoneri stars Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic—has led many Milan fans to grow weary of a player who arrived with far greater expectations.
Kyle Walker’s recent reproach toward the Portuguese international was just the latest episode adding to Milan’s frustration during a two-month stint in which the forward has failed to live up to expectations.
From debut brilliance to frustration: Joao Felix’s disappointing journey at Milan
Joao Felix joined Milan on deadline day last January in a six-month loan from Chelsea, with no buy option included. Initially, the Rossoneri were reportedly open to exploring ways to keep him beyond the summer after his scintillating debut, where he made an immediate impact by scoring against Roma in the Coppa Italia.
However, what followed suggested there was a reason why clubs like Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Barcelona all chose not to keep a player who was once one of European football’s most exciting prospects.
While Sergio Conceiçao’s side has hardly provided a favourable environment for a player to thrive, Joao Felix’s contribution during his short time at San Siro has been equally underwhelming.
The 25-year-old has featured in all of the Rossoneri’s matches across three different competitions but has failed to make any meaningful impact since scoring on his debut. Despite frequently being included in the starting XI, his coach often came to regret those decisions, as Felix struggled to provide any real attacking spark for the team.
