Xavi Hernandez has hailed Joao Felix’s start to life at Barcelona, but admitted that he did not expect the attacker to adapt to his new team so quickly.
Felix joined Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in a deadline-day loan move, and has already scored three goals and provided two assists in just four appearances for the Spanish champions.
The Portuguese attacker’s career has somewhat drifted in recent years following his £113m move to Atletico from Benfica in 2019, with a loan spell at Chelsea last season unable to inspire an upturn in form.
He appears to have found a good match in Catalonia however, so much so that Barca boss Xavi singled out Felix for his potential to be “very important” for the Blaugrana.
“The one who may surprise the most is perhaps Joao Felix, but he has understood it very well and he can be very important for us,” Xavi said after Felix grabbed an assist in Barca’s 3-2 comeback win against Celta Vigo on Saturday.
“The talent is showing and I’m happy with the signings.”
However, after his side struggled to break down Celta’s stubborn defence in the first half, Xavi highlighted what Felix and his fellow attackers need to do in a potentially tricky away match against Mallorca on Tuesday.
“Joao [Felix] as well as Ferran [Torres], Lamine [Yamal], Rapha [Raphinha]… they have to provide more mobility, change positions, attack the spaces. Celta threw us off balance many times and in attack, we have to attack better and be better positioned.”
