Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has jumped to the defence of Joao Felix, insisting his move to Chelsea in January has not changed things at the Wanda Metropolitano for the better.
De Paul was a recent guest on Cadena SER’s El Larguero, where he discussed several topics, including his former teammate.
Felix joined Chelsea on loan in the winter window, signing until the end of the season following an apparent falling out with Atleti manager Diego Simeone.
He has not been missed at the Spanish club, who, without him in their side, have gone on a strong run of form and surged up the table.
That has led to some speculation that he was the problem with Atletico Madrid and his departure has freed the team up to perform better.
De Paul is having none of that, though, defending the Chelsea loanee when the subject was brought up during his interview.
“Has Joao’s departure improved the atmosphere? I totally disagree with that,” he said.
“A bit of common sense, Atletico Madrid with Joao Felix were champions of La Liga. He did very well here, and I think that if he was here, the team would also react.
“The fact that Joao has looked for a way out doesn’t mean that the group feels better now. Joao has always wanted to get a lot of minutes.
“In the end, he has decided that with the club, but he was a very good player and above all a great person, whom the dressing room loved a lot.
“It doesn’t seem to me that Atlético or the group and the fact that we are winning is because Joao left, far from it.”
