Joao Felix finds comfort on the left wing at FC Barcelona
Barcelona's new loan signing from Atletico Madrid, Joao Felix, has settled into his new role with ease, expressing his comfort playing on the left wing.
Joao Felix.In his brief appearances so far, the Portuguese forward has showcased his versatility, leaving Barca fans eager to see more in the upcoming home debut post-international break.
Barcelona underwent significant changes to their squad during the summer, bidding farewell to wingers Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati. In their absence, young sensation Lamine Yamal, just 16 years old, has risen to prominence, while midfielder Gavi has also taken on left-wing duties in recent matches.
Manager Xavi Hernandez has been counting on Felix's adaptability to bolster the team's attacking options. He praised Felix's attitude, stating to media, "I see him both as a striker and on the left wing, and also the right. He has helped. I'd highlight his attitude, which is very important for the team.
"He is comfortable going from the wing to the inside. He can play as a 9, on the right, but he is less comfortable there. He is versatile, he will give us alternatives and will help us a lot."
When asked by SPORT about his preferred position, Felix affirmed his comfort on the left wing, aligning with Xavi's vision. He commented, "I see myself comfortable starting from the left wing. I've been playing there for some time now and I think it's where Xavi likes to put me the most."
However, it remains uncertain whether Felix will stay beyond this La Liga season, as Barcelona have not secured a permanent option in his loan deal with Atletico Madrid. If he does depart next summer, it would mean missing the opportunity to grace Camp Nou as a Barcelona player, as the team have temporarily moved to Lluis Companys in Montjuic for the 2023/24 La Liga season.
Expressing his desire to play in front of Barcelona's passionate supporters, Felix lamented, "I really want to play in Montjuic in front of our fans. [But] it's a shame that it won't be at Camp Nou. I've always said I wanted to play [for Barcelona], and maybe that's why [the fans] love me so much."
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