MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 07:19:28| >> :120:21582:21582:

Roberto Martinez credits Barcelona for improving Joao Felix form

Martinez credits Barcelona for improving Felix form
© Reuters
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez says that Barcelona have helped on-loan Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix find "another dimension".

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has said that Barcelona have helped Joao Felix find "another dimension".

The 23-year-old joined the Catalan outfit on loan from Atletico Madrid over the summer, and he has impressed for Xavi's side this season, scoring three goals and registering three assists in eight appearances.

Barcelona are expected to push for a permanent move for Felix next summer, with the club said to have been delighted with his form since his arrival.

The attacker scored once and provided one assist in Portugal's 5-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina last time out, and Martinez has hailed the La Liga champions for helping Felix 'feel important' again.

"Barcelona have given Felix another dimension. I've not seen many players who can play inside, but also on the wing, and have the capacity to take on players with a good understanding of his teammates," Martinez told reporters. "What I've seen is that Felix feels important at his club."

Barcelona's Joao Felix during the warm up before the match on September 3, 2023© Reuters

Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at Chelsea, scoring four goals in 20 appearances for the Blues in all competitions.

There was a host of speculation surrounding the forward's future over the summer, with a return to the Premier League thought to be a huge possibility.

However, Felix made it clear that Barcelona were his first choice, and he was able to secure a move to Camp Nou before the end of the transfer window.

The Portuguese has scored 34 goals and registered 18 assists in 131 appearances for Atletico, and he has a contract at Wanda Metropolitano until June 2029, but a permanent switch away from the Red and Whites next year is expected to occur.

Portugal's Joao Felix celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates Joao Cancelo and Bruno Fernandes on November 23, 2022© Reuters

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has talked-up the prospect of his club signing Felix on a permanent basis, although much will depend on the club's finances.

There have been claims that Atletico would want around €80m (£69m) for the former Benfica youngster, and the capital side are in a strong position to negotiate due to the length of time left on his deal.

Felix has scored once and provided two assists in six La Liga appearances this season, while he has two goals and one assist in two Champions League outings.

The forward is expected to be a part of the Portugal squad at next summer's European Championship, although he faces a battle to be a starter in Martinez's first-choice side due to the strength of the competition in the final third of the field.

ID:526962:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4731:
Written by
Matt Law

Click here for more stories about Roberto Martinez

Click here for more stories about Barcelona

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Joao Felix celebrates scoring against Real Betis on September 16, 2023
Read Next:
Laporta talks-up permanent deals for Cancelo, Felix
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona26183571254657
2Real Madrid27176457263157
3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal26128648361244
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
7Mallorca27107102633-737
8Rayo Vallecano279992929036
9Celta Vigo27106114041-136
10Sevilla279993236-436
11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2677122537-1228
16Valencia2769123045-1527
17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!