Chelsea slammed for ‘reaching a new low’ with Joao Felix announcement hours after Conor Gallagher’s exit

Chelsea have been slammed for "reaching a new low" with their announcement video for Joao Felix.

On Wednesday the Blues confirmed the permanent capture of Felix, who has signed a seven-year deal to become their tenth signing of the summer window so far.

It will be a return for Felix, who had a spell on loan in the 2022/23 season and played 20 times in all competitions, scoring four goals.

The Portugal international then spent last season on loan at Barcelona but has finally left Atletico Madrid for a fee around £45 million.

Conor Gallagher's move to Atletico from Chelsea has finally been sealed for £33 million as a result.

Chelsea announced Felix just after 1pm with a series of clips of him in the new kit at the club's Cobham training base.

They captioned the post 'Home again' and had Kanye West's 'Homecoming' playing in the video.

Image: Getty

But some supporters took issue with the whole idea of Felix coming home.

Not only because Felix only spent a brief period on loan but also the fact that Gallagher's home, until now, has always been Chelsea.

A boyhood Chelsea fan, he grew up ten minutes away from their training ground and spent a combined total of 20 years in the academy and first-team.

One wrote: "Using Homecoming on the announcement of a former loan player you've only signed to enable the sale of an actual homegrown player is a new low."

A second said: "Using a former loan player’s announcement to facilitate the sale of a homegrown player is a new low in club tactics."

A third wrote: "Especially considering the track's meaning of a kid growing up and developing a deep attachment to his city. But they've driven out their locality and heart, choosing a soulless, profit-driven scheme. It's so backwards, man."

A fourth user commented: "Chelsea are quickly becoming the most disliked club aren’t they."

A final person fumed: "The most embarrassing institution in football."

Image: Getty

Gallagher, meanwhile, has penned a five-year contract with Atletico and will be registered as an EU player due to a clever loophole.