Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone bites back at Joao Felix comments
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone insists ‘nobody is bigger than the club’ after Joao Felix publicly stated his ‘love’ for Barcelona
- Diego Simeone has hit back at comments made by Atletico forward Joao Felix
- The wantaway attacker explained he wants to pursue a move to Barcelona
- Atletico manager Simeone insisted that ‘nobody is bigger than the club’
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has hit back at wantaway forward Joao Felix by defiantly insisting that ‘nobody is bigger than the club’.
Felix recently admitted in an interview with Fabrizio Romano that he would ‘love to join Barcelona’ after the LaLiga champions were linked with making a move for the Madrid man.
His comments sparked fury at Atletico as supporters defaced the plaque bearing Felix’s name outside the club stadium, crossing his name out and writing ‘Go to Barcelona’ next to it in Spanish.
Simeone faces a difficult decision as Atletico hold out for a fee that would compliment the £114m they paid Benfica four years ago.
Now he has responded to Felix’s comments by explaining his focus is solely on the team ahead of the new season getting underway.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone (pictured) has hit back at comments made by Joao Felix
Atletico attacker Felix (middle) wants to secure a summer transfer away from the club
‘The main focus is the team. It is normal that in the press the focus is on whether he stays or leaves,’ he told AS.
‘I already said that there is no one more important than the club, with no exceptions. It’s impossible to be clearer than that.’
Felix’s future is in doubt after he returned to Atletico following the completion of his short-term loan spell at Chelsea where he struggled to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.
The 23-year-old was made to train with Atletico Madrid’s academy for part of their pre-season in Spain before being pictured looking glum after being left on the bench during a defeat against a South Korean K-League XI.
Felix was then completely left out of the squad for their follow-up clash against Manchester City.
Simeone further refused to be drawn into speculation over Felix’ future, but surprisingly praised the attacker for ‘giving his all’.
Felix explained in a recent interview that he would ‘love’ to secure a transfer to Barcelona
Felix caused fury amongst the Atletico fanbase after making his comments targeting a departure away from Madrid
‘He has his playing characteristics, he has given his all, he has made an effort to work well with what he has, and what we demanded of him,’ the Argentinian added.
‘I cannot have any complaints about his effort because he has given what he could give.
‘He has extraordinary ability, we have talked about it a billion times. You see him and he has a good header, a good shot with the left, with the right, good spin, one on one…
‘Is there time [for Felix to succeed at Atletico]? It’s not up to me, ask him and his representative.’
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