£46m player suggests he does not want to return to Chelsea this summer when his loan ends

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Enzo Maresca has a number of players returning to Chelsea from loan spells this summer.

The Italian will have to decide what he wants to do with the likes of Axel Disasi – who is currently on loan at Aston Villa – while Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka are on loan at Juventus and Borussia Dortmund respectively, to provide some high profile examples.

Ben Chilwell has also been loaned to Crystal Palace while Raheem Sterling is at Arsenal.

Another big name departed Chelsea on loan on transfer deadline day last week in the form of Joao Felix – who was shipped off to AC Milan – and the £46.3m man might not play again for the Blues if he gets his wish.

Joao Felix wants to stay at AC Milan

Fabrizio Romano has now quoted the Portugal international as saying: “I’ve joined AC Milan on loan but if there’s a chance to stay beyond this season… I’d be happy.

“This is a top European club, I’m already in love with everything here. Kaka was my idol. Inter were also keen but for me (it) was impossible… as I wanted Milan.”

It comes after TBR Football exclusively revealed last week that Felix is planning to stay at AC Milan for the future – and believes the Italian giants will do all they can to make his loan move into a permanent one this summer.

After Maresca handed the Viseu-born attacker just three Premier League starts this season, you can understand why he is keen to depart for good.

Questions must be asked of Chelsea after £46.3m Joao Felix deal

Of all the transfers Chelsea have made since Todd Boehly replaced Roman Abramovich – and there have been a lot – signing Felix, who Tottenham asked about, permanently may well be the strangest move.

Chelsea already had a good look at the 25-year-old after signing him on loan from Atletico Madrid for the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, ultimately deciding not to pursue a permanent deal.

So, for Chelsea to then spend £46.3m on Felix back in August and also hand him a seven-year contract, only for Maresca to hardly play him, is truly baffling.