Chelsea forward Joao Felix will return to become part of Atletico Madrid’s first team next season, according to the Spanish club’s captain, Koke.

The Blues have loaned the Portuguese international until the end of the campaign, but they have no option to buy the player, and Koke fully expects the 23-year-old to come back to Spain:

“Joao is only regaining confidence in his own ability in London, he will return to Madrid and will once again be the star of the team.”

Whether things are as cut and dry as Koke claims, though, it is questionable. Felix has already expressed he is happy in London, as well as making some veiled digs at Atletico head coach Diego Simeone.

The striker feels he has been given more freedom to play his natural game since making the switch to Stamford Bridge in January.

Saying that, though, there are no guarantees that Felix will remain in England. Manager Graham Potter substituted the player at halftime against Leicester at the weekend, after a poor first 45 minutes where he gave the ball away for Patson Daka’s goal.

Felix is likely to cost quite a bit to bring in on a permanent basis too so a return to Madrid is still a real possibility.