Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has revealed that he likes to watch Chelsea midfielder, Mason Mount play, claiming he knew all about the England international’s talents before he even made the first-team breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.
Felix, who has been tipped to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo as the king of Portuguese football, is no doubt, well-quipped to follow in his mentor’s footsteps owing to his blistering form in the colours of Atletico Madrid.
The Portuguese sensation signed a seven-year contract with Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a transfer fee of £113 million -the fourth highest sum ever paid in football and Benfica’s biggest transfer also Atlético’s most expensive signing ever.
However, the 21-year-old, who has notched up nine goals in 27 games in all competition this season, declared his admiration for Mount ahead of the Roji Blancos Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday.
He said: “I like the way he [Mount] plays, the way he likes to drag the ball, the way he touches the ball.
“I played with Chris Willock in Benfica three or four years ago and he told me that Chelsea has a guy that he sees who is similar to me and he told me it was Mason Mount.
“A few years later he appeared in Chelsea and I like the way he plays.
“Chris had told me about him before he appeared in the Premier League, so I was waiting to see him.”
Mount scored from the penalty spot on Saturday to rescue a point for Chelsea at Southampton to make it four goals and three assists in the Premier League this term.
The west London club academy product, has not scored in the Champions League this campaign. But, an opportunity may present itself on Tuesday after he allayed worries over a suspected injury.
Madrid will play Chelsea in Bucharest, Romania for their first leg round of 16 tie and both teams would be looking forward to a thrilling encounter tomorrow.