Former midfielder Atletico Madrid Costinha believes that Joao Felix has to raise his game to meet the LaLiga Santander standard. The Portuguese international has not lived up to the lofty expectations that came with his 127 million euro move from Benfica to Atletico Madrid last summer. The problem is related to each league’s level.
“The Spanish League is much more competitive than the Portuguese League. It’s a high-rhythm competition where everyone plays to win. He had unlimited chances of scoring at Benfica and, in Spain, he ‘s facing a much more balanced reality. He’ll also have to adapt to what [Diego] Simeone asks of him, but I think he’ll adapt to those dynamics sooner or later, and they’ll be an asset,” Costinha told Eleven Sports.
Benfica has denied reports that Joao Felix is on the verge of moving to Atletico Madrid for € 120 million ( £ 107 million).
Both Marca and James Ducker of the Telegraph have recently reported that the move of the 19-year-old Felix to Atleti is effectively sealed following links with other top European clubs including Manchester City and Manchester United.
