Barcelona forward Joao Felix has described himself as most “comfortable” playing from the left wing following his arrival on loan from Atletico Madrid last month.
Felix played the final 10 minutes off the bench in recent La Liga win over Osasuna and is hoping for more game time as he prepares to make his home debut after the international break.
Barca let wingers Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele leave during the summer. But 16-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal has become an important first-team player, while Gavi has been utilised on the left flank in each of the last two games as he continues to switch between that role and midfield.
Xavi has been banking on Felix’s versatility across the front to boost Barca’s attacking depth.
“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,” the boss said recently.
“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.”
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Discussing his favoured position himself, Felix has now told SPORT: “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.”
Barcelona did not agree a permanent option in the loan deal with Atletico, which means there are no guarantees that Felix remains at the club beyond this season. Should he move on next summer, the player would be denied the chance to play at Camp Nou as a Barcelona player, given that the team has temporarily relocated to the Lluis Companys in Montjuic for the duration of 2023/24.
“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,” Felix said. “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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