Joao Felix is a truly unique talent, a player brimming with untapped potential just waiting to be unleashed. Since his days at Benfica, many have attempted to unlock his full capabilities, but only glimpses of his true greatness have been revealed.
Now, with his dream club Barcelona, the question arises: Can they be the ones to transform the concept of Félix into a living, breathing reality?
Read More: Official: Joao Felix signs for Barcelona on loan until 2024
Who is Joao Felix?
Here’s a concise summary of Joao Felix’s profile:
Joao Félix is a versatile forward who excels in multiple positions, including left-wing (LW), false 9, and second-striker roles. He possesses an extraordinary level of technical skill, making him a formidable presence on the field.
Félix’s game is characterized by his ability to create opportunities and disrupt opponents through dribbling, carrying the ball, and precise passing. He is also a significant goal threat, thanks to his excellent ball-striking abilities. Additionally, he serves as a valuable outlet for his team, displaying press-resistance, exceptional carrying of the ball, and precise distribution. His roaming style of play adds another dimension to his game, making him a truly versatile and dynamic player on the pitch.
Where Does Joao Felix Like to Play?
Joao Felix thrives when he’s granted the liberty to unleash his creativity on the field. His influence extends far and wide, with his impact felt across all phases of play and various zones on the pitch when he’s given the freedom to do so.
Félix’s versatility shines through as he seamlessly transitions between roles – he’ll roam to explore spaces, invert to disrupt the opposition, drop deep to build up play, hold width to stretch the defense, and occupy the box to be a goal-scoring threat. This multifaceted approach makes him an asset that can shape the game in numerous ways.
Certainly, while Joao Felix is adaptable, he does have a preference in his playing style. When his team is in possession, he often starts by dropping deeper to receive the ball while maintaining width. However, once he has possession, he tends to favor retaining the ball and then making a decisive cut inside towards the half-space.
This playing style aligns well with his teammates, especially with the left-back (LB) who can overlap and provide support, as well as with central players for intricate link-ups. It showcases his ability to create opportunities and exploit spaces effectively, making him a key player in build-up and attacking phases of the game.
Indeed, understanding Joao Felix’s profile hinges on his affinity for the left half-space. He thrives when he’s in control of the ball and given the freedom to express himself. While he does display versatility by roaming and occasionally switching sides, he unmistakably gravitates towards two specific areas on the pitch:
1. Higher Left Half-Space Zone: Felix is particularly effective when operating in the higher left half-space. This zone allows him to influence the game significantly by creating and exploiting opportunities in advanced positions.
2. Deep 8 Zone: Another key area of preference for Felix is the deep-lying central midfield role, often referred to as the “Deep 8” zone. Here, he can orchestrate play from deeper positions, showcasing his ability to both create and control the tempo of the game.
These two zones are where Félix truly shines, demonstrating his tactical intelligence and adaptability to contribute effectively in various phases of play.
Joao Felix’s most significant and influential contributions often take place in the upper left half-space and the deep 8 zone, which align with his personal preferences. This playing approach harmonizes seamlessly with Barcelona’s customary role for a left-winger, emphasizing a dominant presence in the half-space.
Felix’s ability to occupy these zones effectively complements the team’s tactics. It creates opportunities for the left-back (Balde) to overlap and provide width, while also contributing to Barcelona’s control over the central midfield area.
In this context, Joao Felix is a natural fit for the role, showcasing how his playing style complements and enhances Barcelona’s overall strategy.
In these examples, it’s evident that Joao Félix excels in distributing the ball across the left half-space. The specific location within that half-space can vary, depending on the tactical situation. However, the key takeaway is that he has a strong desire to receive the ball, preferably at his feet, and once he has it, he’s determined to maintain possession.
To accomplish this, Felix is prepared to retreat to deeper positions and maintain his presence in those areas as required. This strategy not only enables him to maintain possession of the ball but also showcases his capability to impact the game by directing the team’s play from these deeper zones. It serves as evidence of his tactical acumen and his dedication to serving as a playmaker for his team.
It’s worth noting that passing isn’t Joao Felix’s primary method of progression or creation. Instead, he excels as a disruptor, carrier, and dribbler. When he receives the ball, his inclination is to take matters into his own hands and embark on a dribbling journey.
While he possesses excellent passing skills, Felix often opts for dribbling, especially when operating in the left half-space. This style of play allows him to use his technical ability and creativity to navigate through tight spaces, break down opposition defenses, and create goal-scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates.
Certainly, it’s evident from the data that the left half-space is Joao Felix’s playground of choice. This is where the majority of his successful dribbles originate, showcasing his proficiency in taking on defenders and breaking through opposition lines. Furthermore, it’s the launchpad for many of his progressive carries into the box, highlighting his knack for driving the team forward and creating goal-scoring opportunities.
Despite his roaming tendencies, Felix’s mastery of the half-space is unmistakable. His ability to dominate this area of the pitch makes him a formidable presence and a key contributor to his team’s attacking prowess.
Indeed, the left half-space serves as a pivotal platform for Joao Felix to unlock defensive blocks, utilizing both his exceptional carrying ability and precise passing skills. While we’ve observed his ability to distribute from deeper positions to switch play or find the free man, this zone is also where we can expect to witness more incisive passing into the box.
By strategically positioning himself in this area, Felix becomes a linchpin for creating scoring opportunities. Whether it’s threading a through ball to a teammate in a dangerous position or breaking down defensive lines with a well-timed pass, he adds a layer of creativity and vision to his team’s attacking play that can be instrumental in dismantling opposing defenses.
How Does His Ability to Score Goals Factor Into His Overall Performance?
Opposite to what might be commonly assumed, Joao Felix possesses outstanding ball-striking skills, which manifest in both his passing and shooting. He exhibits the capacity to execute precise finishes with either foot and from diverse angles, and this ability is further boosted by his remarkable speed and agility, particularly when he operates inside the penalty box.
Operating in a central role, including the False 9 position, does raise several important questions about Joao Felix’s performance:
1. Output: Can he deliver the expected level of offensive output in terms of goals and assists from this central position?
2. Physicality: Is he capable of holding off his markers, especially in physical contests?
3. Separation: Can he create the necessary separation from defenders to exploit scoring opportunities?
4. Support: Will Xavi’s tactics and the team’s movement provide Félix with the right supporting runners to maximize his impact?
5. Intensity: Can he maintain a high level of intensity when attacking the box and putting pressure on the opposition defense?
These questions are essential when assessing Felix’s suitability for a central role, and they reflect the complexities and challenges associated with playing in such positions.
Certainly, Joao Felix’s blend of superb ball-striking, intelligent positioning, speed, and intensity hints at his potential to become a prolific goal scorer. When placed within a system like Barcelona’s, renowned for leveraging the strengths of creative and adaptable attackers, his goal-scoring performance is expected to see a substantial uptick. This framework should afford him the chances and assistance required to maximize his scoring talents and make a valuable contribution to the team’s achievements.
It’s clear from the statistics that Joao Felix has consistently maintained a commendable level of attacking productivity, even in less favorable environments and systems. In the 2022/23 season, he maintained an average of about 0.45 goals per 90 minutes, which increased to over 0.5 in the 2021/22 season. His impressive goal-scoring record at Benfica, where he was nearly averaging a goal per game, further solidifies his scoring prowess.
These numbers emphasize Feix’s innate ability to consistently find the back of the net, and when placed in a more conducive system, his potential for goal-scoring is likely to shine even more brightly.
Handling the robust marking of LaLiga teams in deep defensive blocks is indeed a challenge, and it’s an issue that many top strikers, including Robert Lewandowski, have faced. However, Joao Felix possesses the qualities and skills necessary to adapt and potentially excel in such situations.
One notable aspect of Felix’s game is his ability to beat defenders in various ways, including when they are marking him closely from behind. His agility, ball control, and dribbling skills allow him to maneuver past opponents, even in tight spaces. While it won’t be without its difficulties, Félix’s versatility and creativity give him the tools to navigate through sturdy defenses and continue to make an impact in the LaLiga landscape.
Indeed, in the two examples you’ve provided, Joao Felix demonstrates his ability to effectively handle situations where he receives the ball with a marker on his back:
1. Shrugging off and Passing: He showcases his physicality and composure by shrugging off the marker and then delivering a pass, displaying his ability to maintain control under pressure.
2. Outmaneuvering with a Half-Turn and Shooting: Felix’s agility and quick decision-making are on display as he outmaneuvers the marker with a half-turn and subsequently takes a shot at goal, highlighting his capacity to create a scoring opportunity even when closely marked.
These two methods illustrate his adaptability and versatility in dealing with tight defensive marking, further underscoring his potential to thrive in challenging scenarios and contribute to his team’s success.
You make an important observation. While Joao Felix has demonstrated his ability to create space and separation for himself in specific instances, the consistency of this skill in his overall performance remains a question mark. It’s true that his style may not be as efficient in this regard as some other top strikers, like Harry Kane, who are known for their proficiency in finding space and scoring efficiently.
How Xavi Can Help Felix for the Benefit of the Team?
Indeed, to maximize Joao Felix’s potential in a more central role, providing him with supporting runners and underlappers would be crucial. While he is capable of medium-to-long passes for distribution and progression, his role in a central position often involves being more focused on lay-offs and quick interplay.
By having teammates make well-timed runs into his immediate vicinity, Felix can exploit the spaces created and utilize his passing abilities effectively. This not only enhances his ability to distribute the ball but also allows him to create dynamic attacking combinations, making him an even more potent playmaker in central areas. Such support and movement from teammates would undoubtedly be a key component of his success in this role.
Another important factor to consider regarding Joao Felix’s output is the level of intensity with which he approaches attacking the box.
The most effective false 9s are known for dropping deep to link up play but then holding their position inside the penalty area once the ball progresses up the thirds of the pitch.
Felix will need to master this aspect of his game as well to excel in the role.
It’s important to highlight that Joao Felix already displays this characteristic. Many of his goals while at Atletico Madrid have originated from deep runs into the penalty area. Despite his tendency to drop deeper and maintain a presence in those areas, he consistently shows the determination to become a goal-scoring threat within the box when necessary. This versatility and readiness to adjust his positioning are positive indicators for his potential success in roles that demand an aggressive approach to attacking within the penalty area.
Joao Felix’s versatility allows Barcelona to use him effectively as an outlet, especially considering the team’s vertical style of play. While he possesses pace and intensity, he serves as a different kind of ball-to-feet outlet.
In this role, Félix will typically:
1. Receive High, Retain, and Distribute: He can position himself higher up the pitch to receive the ball, retain possession, and distribute it to teammates, helping maintain control in advanced areas.
2. Receive Deep, Carry, and Link Up: Alternatively, he can drop deeper to receive the ball, use his carrying ability to progress it upfield, and engage in link-up play to facilitate the team’s build-up from deeper positions.
This adaptability in his outlet play adds an extra dimension to Barcelona’s attacking options, making Felix a valuable asset in various phases of the game.
These sequences illustrate Joao Félix’s versatility as an outlet player in different scenarios:
- Félix as a High Outlet:
- Félix as a Deep Outlet:
Joao Felix undoubtedly possesses a wide range of skills and attributes that can significantly benefit a team, and the potential for him to make a substantial impact is evident. The foundation is in place, with the idea, talent, and potential all at an incredible level.
However, the realization of this potential and the successful utilization of Felix’s abilities ultimately depend on the coaching and tactical approach, in this case, led by Xavi. Whether Xavi can be the coach who maximizes Felix’s contributions and unlocks his full potential is a question that will unfold over time. It will be fascinating to see how Felix’s role and impact evolve under Xavi’s guidance and how the team benefits from his unique skill set in the coming seasons.
Joao Felix’s defensive contribution can indeed be a significant asset to any team, and the key lies in his willingness and mentality to engage in defensive work. While it’s not a question of whether he has the capability to do it, the crucial factor is whether he’s motivated to contribute defensively.
Given Felix’s intensity and decent tackling skills, with the right coaching and mindset, he has the potential to become a valuable defender. It’s a matter of instilling the desire and commitment to defending when necessary, which can greatly enhance his overall impact on the team’s performance. If Xavi can harness this aspect of Felix’s game, it will add another dimension to his versatility and make him an even more well-rounded player.
