Joao Felix Set for Exit After Losing Chelsea Squad Number

Joao Felix’s Chelsea future looks bleak as his No.14 shirt was handed to new signing Dario Essugo. Felix, 25, joined for £42 million but made just 20 appearances before a loan to AC Milan. Returning this summer, he’s now likely to leave again, marking a potential fifth club change in under three years.

On the 12th of June 2025, Joao Felix’s uncertain Chelsea future took another hit as he became the second player this summer to be stripped of his squad number, with his No.14 shirt handed to 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder Dario Essugo. Felix, who cost Chelsea an initial £42 million after joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2024, made just 20 appearances before being loaned to AC Milan in February. Now back at Stamford Bridge, he appears to be out of new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans, suggesting a likely transfer.

This marks yet another twist in Felix’s career, with the 25-year-old now potentially heading for his fifth club move in under three years. His Chelsea stint began with a loan in early 2023, and since then, his inconsistency has led to frequent transfers. Essugo, in contrast, arrives with promise after an £18.5 million move, having played for Sporting’s youth teams and spent time on loan at Chaves and Las Palmas.

Felix follows Mykhailo Mudryk, whose No.10 shirt was handed to Cole Palmer, as the second Chelsea player to lose his number this summer. Mudryk remains provisionally suspended due to doping allegations. Meanwhile, Essugo joins Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.