Enzo Maresca defends bold transfer decision after Chelsea’s early FA Cup exit Enzo Maresca has defended his decision to allow Joao Felix to join AC Milan on loan in the January transfer window after Chelsea’s FA Cup exit.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Shopland/Shutterstock (15095924dw) Chelsea's Joao Felix Chelsea v Morecambe, Emirates FA Cup, Third Round, Football, Stamford Bridge, London, UK - 11 Jan 2025] ‘I don’t think we miss Joao,’ Maresca said in his post-match press conference following Chelsea’s FA Cup elimination.
But Chelsea eventually agreed to let Felix join AC Milan on loan until the end of the season without an obligation or option to buy, after super-agent Jorge Mendes jetted to London on deadline day to help force the move.
The Italian head coach was quizzed about Felix, who Chelsea were originally reluctant to loan out, following the match, with the Portuguese star scoring on his AC Milan debut on Wednesday in a 3-1 win over Roma.
‘The players train every day and they want to play all the games,’ Maresca said earlier this week when asked about Felix joining AC Milan on loan.
