Joao Felix: The Atletico makeweight that never went to Barcelona could come to haunt them
In the summer, the idea of seeing Joao Felix at Camp Nou seemed viable. A swap deal would have brought the Portuguese star into Xavi's exciting squad. The proposed transaction to move Antoine Griezmann (31) in the other direction involved using Felix as a bargaining chip.
The deal never happened, however, and it was the second time the striker had been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Felix and Barca have been synonymous with rumours in every market for some time. And that's no surprise as they perfectly suit each other.
Felix is skilled at carrying the ball and Barcelona is the perfect place for that type of player to develop. What's more, he is a natural dribbler who is also effective in front of goal. The Catalan club are in need of goals at times and even more so as Robert Lewandowski (34) is currently suspended.
Barcelona and Felix are like a literary romance: they complement each other perfectly but, as in every novel, there is something forever undermining their union. For now, the club and player are destined to continue admiring each other from afar.
So close yet so far
Less than a month has passed since the World Cup in Qatar. From December to January, Felix has undoubtedly been the player who has caused the most commotion at Atletico Madrid.
He is at the centre of all of Atletico's news with rumours circling him. However, the player's departure from the club is not necessarily imminent. His successful performances in Qatar struck a chord with the Atletico board, who are now considering a loan move in order to tame the atmosphere that exists between the coaching staff and the player.
On Tuesday, Diego Simeone said he was "prepared" for whatever might happen. Was that some kind of indirect farewell? A warning about a possible move in the winter transfer window?
We'll see. There is still a long time to go before the close of the transfer window. On the other hand, the match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona is just around the corner.
Despite a possible departure later this month, Joao Felix could be the key to cracking the Barcelona defence this Sunday.
Xavi was able to welcome back Ronald Araujo from injury on Thursday - the Uruguayan centre-back had been out for more than two months. Eric Garcia also returns and both players' comebacks are like new winter signings for the club.
Light and shade
Historically, the Blaugrana defence has always been synonymous with light and shade. Xavi's side is no exception to that.
Barca play high and wide and try to circulate the ball a lot. That style of play creates space that can be exploited on the counterattack - a skill that Atletico knows to perfection.
Simeone completely structures his side around the counterattack. Defending-to-attacking transitions are fundamental to his plans. Felix and Griezmann play a leading role in that tactic, too. They are the ones in charge of carrying the ball forward, generating the counters and, in many cases, finishing them off.
Felix, who arrived at the Metropolitano for more than 100 million euros, doesn't perfectly fit in with Simeone's style, however. He looks uncomfortable without the ball at his feet and, in some cases, he shows signs of fatigue.
In the Portuguese national team, he performs at a higher level and he was one of the stars of the team at the World Cup. The duo formed by coach Fernando Santos (Felix paired with Goncalo Ramos (21)) ended up being one of the best attacks of the tournament.
His role in the national team contrasts greatly with that at Atletico, so much so that the board is not ruling out a loan move for him away. Arsenal and Manchester United seem to be the frontrunners for his signature at the moment.
Can the Atletico board ignore a big offer to take a wantaway Felix off their hands or will they resist that temptation in this window? Rushed transfers often end badly but let's see how this one plays out in January.
More immediately, Felix has an opportunity this Sunday to redeem himself in an Atletico shirt against Barcelona and avoid a potentially bitter exit in the winter transfer market. What's more, it's a match that could be pivotal in the LaLiga title race and one that promises to be an exciting encounter.
Follow all the action from Atletico Madrid - Barcelona with Flashscore.
