"I never adapted to Diego Simeone's ideas"- João Félix

João Félix has said that he never adjusted to Atletico Madrid or head coach Diego Simeone’s ideologies after making a sparkling start to his Barcelona career. 

The 23 year old has scored three goals in his first two starts for his new club after joining Barca on a season long loan from Atletico earlier this month.  Felix signed for Atletico from Benfica for a whopping €126 million ($134m) in 2019, but could never live up to his reputation across the four seasons under coach Simeone. 

"When things are going badly in football for someone, you have to make a change," Félix stated in an interview with Mundo Deportivo on Thursday."I did it before going to Chelsea [on loan in the second half last season] and now coming to Barcelona because it was not going well [at Atletico].

Felix declined offers from Saudi Arabia to wait on Barca’s interest, with a deal ultimately going through on the last day of the summer transfer window. 

In an attempt to get the loan over the line, Felix had to agree to a considerable wage cut due to Barca’s financial issues. "It's true I gave up a significant part of my salary, but I needed a change," he added.

"I needed to come to a place where I can play my style of football and I have always said I think this is the ideal place. "Things are going well -- I didn't expect to start so well -- and it was an effort I needed to make to be able to find joy playing football again."

Felix scored on his Barca debut against Real Betis last weekend and then followed it up with a clinical brace in the imperious 5-0 win over Royal Antwerp in the Champions League on Tuesday. 

The Felix signing has contributed to that upsurge in form, but another new signing, João Cancelo, has also played a critical role since joining Camp Nou on loan from Manchester City. 

"In terms of quality, I think he's the best full-back I have ever played with," Félix said of club and international teammate Cancelo. "He has the quality of a No. 10. He even likes to play as a No. 10 and says that he will end his career playing as a No. 10 back in his hometown with his local club.

"He's an extraordinary player. He has added a lot to the team. Wherever he has played, he has brought so much and always won a lot of trophies."