The competition is getting heavy for the title, with the Turkish Super League in full swing. While José Mourinho, who just underwent gallbladder surgery in Portugal, has made it clear that once he returns, he wants to reinforce the squad at all costs. The priority on the Portuguese coach's shopping list will be one currently hot name: João Félix.
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From a theoretical perspective, the young Portuguese forward, currently trying his fate at Chelsea, is deemed someone who can change the Fenerbahçe season equation, but before dreaming about Félix in Istanbul, one has to answer quite some number of questions, not merely about money.
Between brilliancy and obscurity
João Félix is not living the most glorious moment of his career. After the troubled period with Atlético de Madrid, the Portuguese forward asked for a transfer to Chelsea, but is still searching for continuity in his game. Having very respectable stats-five goals and two assists in 787 minutes this season in all competitions, he is still on the margins of what Stamford Bridge has in mind.
In Turkey, his name is one of the latest to start emerging in the press as an reinforcement for Fenerbahçe, something that was rather unexpected. However, everything changes with Mourinho in the equation. The Portuguese coach, famous for enhancing players who have been low-rated or simply not at the highest level, could be precisely the mentor Félix needs to get his confidence back.
Fenerbahçe's move
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, the Turkish club believes Félix's salary, currently around £6.7 million annually, would be more viable than the demands of Anderson Talisca, another target in the market. Furthermore, the business model-a loan until the end of the season-seems to suit the interests of all parties involved.
With Galatasaray leading the league, the margin for error is just about zero. Fenerbahçe need players ready to make an immediate impact, and in this sense, Félix is that solution from a technical and tactical point of view-someone who can give the Istanbul outfit the edge they need to tilt the championship balance in their favor.
Mourinho and the confidence factor
Working with Mourinho could be a unique opportunity for the forward to rediscover the path that once placed him among the great promises of European soccer.
Besides, Mourinho has already shown a preference for Félix over other names available in the market. Even though Mario Hermoso and Reguilón were also on the radar, the coach seems convinced that Félix would be the ideal piece for his attack.
The challenges of the deal
Yet, the way to lure João Félix to Fenerbahçe is not at all easy: Chelsea, not having given the player such prominence as he expected, could demur over his release to a club outside the top European leagues; likewise, convincing Félix himself that Istanbul is the ideal place to re-ignite his career will be quite an art.
Another obstacle is the short schedule: the winter market is short, decisions need to be fast, but any negotiation with Chelsea promises to be complicated. Mourinho and Fenerbahçe's management need to move swiftly and intelligently if they want the signing to come in time to make a difference.
Could João Félix be the key?
With the signing of João Félix, then Fenerbahçe will pull off a coup in closing the gap to Galatasaray. Félix is the representative of a bet on technical quality, creativity, and potential that he still maintains.
Under Mourinho's command, the forward would have the possibility to reboot his career away from the pressures of the Premier League and criticism that trailed him from Spain. Less glamorous, yes, but the Turkish context gives an ideal platform to a talent like Félix to shine once more.