“I’m not quite sure what type of player he is” - Glenn Hoddle raises concern over 24-year-old Chelsea star

Former Chelsea manager Glenn Hoddle has questioned the signing of Joao Felix and challenged the forward to get back to his best. He admitted that the 24-year-old impressed him on loan at the club, but has not got back to that form.

Hoddle said on TNT Sports that Felix does well when he gets into the box but is not impressed with the Portuguese star since he returned to Stamford Bridge. He added that the new signing needs to step up and show Enzo Maresca that he deserves a starting spot in the Premier League. He said:

"I'm not quite sure what he is, what type of player he is. To the eye, he's a very good player. He's got lovely skills and he glides. When he first came over to Chelsea on loan, I thought; 'Wow, they've got a player here'... But he hasn't gone on from there. Whether he found it more difficult. Here you see him [at Barca] playing in a team where he knows his teammates, he feels at home."

"What I like about him, when I saw him at his best, is that he gets in the box and drifts into areas of the box. He's going off the side of the defender and you play him where you can hurt a team. At Chelsea, I think he's playing a little bit deeper. He can be a provider as well of course. For me, there's more to come from this lad, or is there? He's got to step up to get in this side when the manager can go; 'I can put my hat on him'," he added.

Chelsea paid £45 million to sign Felix from Atletico Madrid in the summer after they sold Conor Gallagher to the Spanish side. They were in talks to sign Samu Omorodion but the deal broke down in the final stake and they switched focus to the Portuguese star.

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Joao Felix spoke to Enzo Maresca before making Chelsea move

Joao Felix admitted that he did not know where he was set to play this season after starting pre-season with Atletico Madrid. However, his plans were clear after a conversation with Enzo Maresca, and his mind was set on a move to Chelsea.

He said via Sports Illustrated:

"I spoke with Enzo (Maresca) before I signed. I liked what he said, I like the way he thinks of football, the way he plays. I knew the competition would be hard but I'm here to work. I know what I can do and how I can help. It's just a matter of time. You will never see me stop working to follow my dreams. I'm here to play but it's just a matter of time."

Felix added that he felt at home when he moved on loan in 2023 and wanted to return to the club. He added:

"The time I left in 2023, I always said to my family and friends that one day I would be back to the Premier League. Despite the bad moments for Chelsea in that period, I loved the time at the club. I always wanted to come back, it happened earlier than I thought!"

Joao Felix has scored seven goals and assisted once in his 28 appearances for Chelsea in both stints together. Three of those goals and the assist have come in the eight appearances this season for the Blues.