Chelsea target needs to work out “if he wants to be Bale or Messi” – Potter “needs leaders”

Joao Félix has been warned he needs to decide whether to be Gareth Bale or Lionel Messi if he ends up at Chelsea this month.

The Portuguese forward has been heavily linked with a move away from Atlético Madrid this month after a falling out with manager Diego Simeone.

Atlético are happy to let him go but with no clubs willing to pay for a permanent transfer have instead been forced to sanction a loan deal.

That also appeared difficult to secure but Chelsea have now shown a willingness to pay the fees demanded by the Spanish club, with reports in Spain insisting a deal is now close.

The Portuguese star will arrive to bolster a Chelsea forward line that has continued to struggle this season, with Kai Havertz yet to prove he is a capable centre-forward and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang unfavoured.

He will also join a team that is struggling under Graham Potter at present and has been warned he will need to hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.

“Joao Félix’s potential is extremely high,” journalist Bruno Alemany told Cadena SER.

“They are going to have to explain to him that he has to run because he has to row a lot, they have players out, they need leaders and they are going to demand a lot from him.

“Now that Bale has retired, someone has to tell Joao if he wants to be Bale or Leo Messi. It’s in his hands. He has the talent and quality to play for Chelsea or almost any team he wants, the only thing is whether he really wants to be a crack.”