Joao Felix has been labeled a 'generational talent with mentality problems' as his loan contract with Barcelona threatens to expire despite a 900 percent pay increase.
The Chelsea flop is in poor form and will not suit up for the Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Osasuna on Thursday.
He had a promising start at Barça – his 'dream club' – but familiar signs are reappearing for the imposter sidelined by Atletico Madrid.
This is despite his salary having increased tenfold to over £3.4 million now that Barcelona have more financial leeway.
Barca managed to sign the 24-year-old on pocket change for a top player due to their financial problems, but had to increase his wages when their bank balance allowed it.
Joao Felix is reportedly struggling with his mentality and is losing Xavi's trust at Barcelona
Familiar signs are emerging again in the 24-year-old, who shows blistering ability on the ball but less application than his teammates off the ball.
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SPORT reports that Felix is struggling to shake his reputation as an inconsistent player and that Xavi is increasingly favoring Ferran Torres and Raphinha for their pressing abilities and application, even if he makes some effort.
His nosedive form has coincided with that of Barca, who are now seven points clear of LaLiga leaders Real Madrid and Girona and only reached the last 16 of the Copa del Rey with a sloppy 3-2 win over fourth-tier side Basbastro.
Against minnows Barbastro, Felix cut a frustrated figure after a goal was disallowed for offside, losing the ball fifteen times and denying Torres the chance to take a free kick.
While he could blame his fluctuating form at Atletico Madrid on his incompatibility with Diego Simeone's strict tactics, the same cannot be said at Barca and the debate has shifted to his mentality, SPORT claim.
He was left out of Xavi's starting line-up for Barca's 2-1 win over Las Palmas in their most recent LaLiga match.
Now it looks like former Manchester City player Torres could get the nod on the left flank for their Osasuna assignment.
Xavi is reportedly more impressed with Ferran Torres and he could start against Osasuna on Thursday
The Barcelona boss has been more willing to scythe with big names in recent weeks as he comes under increasing pressure
Xavi has shown in recent weeks that he is bolder and ignores big names.
He beat Robert Lewandowski against Las Palmas despite keeping him incessantly in previous matches, even though his performances deserved a change.
The Barcelona boss has already outsourced a few appearances to 18-year-old Vitor Roque, a promising youngster signed from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.
Felix has had a decent season at Barcelona, with six goals and three assists in 21 games, but will be keen to recapture his best form as quickly as possible.
Over the summer he was forced to spend at least part of the pre-season training at Atletico's academy as he was frozen out by tough taskmaster Simeone.
That shows how much appreciation he receives from the Argentinian coach, who signed a contract extension until 2027 in November.
Felix is under pressure to impress at Barcelona for the showcase as Diego Simeone, his boss at parent club Atletico Madrid, appears reluctant to have him around
It's understood the Portuguese winger's loan deal at Barcelona does not include a purchase option, meaning he's essentially trying to impress potential suitors in the summer – or somehow worm his way back into Simeone's good books .
Atletico signed him for a whopping £114m from Benfica in 2019, handing him the prized number 7 shirt that had graced Antoine Griezmann before him.
However, after becoming the fourth most expensive player in history at the time, he failed to deliver on the abundant promise he showed in Portugal, where he scored 20 goals in his final season.
The number 7 shirt was returned to Griezmann upon returning home.
Chelsea flop Felix faces a battle to win over his doubters at Barcelona, with his talent clearly there but consistency lacking
Where could Felix be welcome if things go badly for Barca?
After scoring four goals in 16 games for Chelsea, he is said to have set his sights on PSG this summer if Barcelona fail to make it.
Atlético had an offer of £85 million outstanding for him, but no offers materialized in the region.