Simeone: I'm finding it difficult to get the best out of Joao Felix

who has failed to score this season was left on the bench during a goalless draw against Brugge in the Champions League. Reports on Friday suggest that he is not happy with his situation at Atletico and wants to leave the club in January.

Diego Simeone at his press conference told reporters:

“As soon as he’s [João Félix] fine again in training, he will play.

“With João it’s hard for me to get the most out of him, but it's something I have to solve myself.

“Do you think I'm not going to put João [Félix] to lose? I am not like that, no coach is going to do something like that.

“I’ve talked to João [Félix] and explained it to him. I want to win, with João, Correa, Cunha, Morata or Griezmann. The reality is what it is. It's the same as everyone.

“I love it because they find a focus of attention and today it’s João Félix. We can talk about the same topic for 4 hours.

I understand the question, but he is a fantastic boy, he gets along well with the team. We're talking about performances, nothing more.”

Felix joined

from Benfica in 2019 for €126 million and since then has scored 29 times in 122 matches. The 22-year-old Felix was on the bench for the fourth game in a row against Brugge and when Simeone used his final substitute he chucked his bib away in disgust.

“João Félix’s gestures? It’s normal that yesterday’s gesture that came out on social media was because he was playing with De Paul.

“Now he has the focus on him and anything can generate, you who are with the magnifying glass, think as you think. I tell the players in the locker room everything I have to say, not here.

“I’m going to be very clear on the João Félix subject: I want to win.

“When his performance was good he played. Now that his performance has dropped, another player plays. When he is well again he will play. It’s about performance and others do it better.”

Atletico will face Athletic Club on Saturday in La Liga.

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