Joao Felix has barely reached Cobham’s reception room before he runs into several familiar faces. He doesn’t need a lengthy tour of our training ground; the time is much better spent catching up with old friends. Fifteen months have passed since Joao Felix was last walking these corridors as a Chelsea player, and it is quickly apparent fond memories from that period of his life are etched into his mind.

Now he wants to make more memories. Many more. Joao Felix’s half-season loan at the start of 2023 contained a few highlights, of which he chooses our victory against Borussia Dortmund at Stamford Bridge as the best. ‘A proper Champions League game and an amazing atmosphere,’ as he puts it.

Collectively, though, it was an underwhelming few months for Chelsea, and while we saw evidence of Joao Felix’s outstanding ability, the attacker acknowledges he is returning to the club with a sense of unfinished business. That feeling is heightened because he has not put down roots in recent seasons.

‘It’s a chance for me to find a home,’ Joao tells us.

‘After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place. There is no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.

‘It was a little bit of a lot of things that made me want to come back: the project, the club, the league, the fans, the time I spent here that I loved. I felt really good when I was here, despite the results we had. I’m really happy to be back.’

Joao Felix will benefit from his prior experience of the Premier League. He believes the duels, counter-attacks, and positive intent of teams makes it ‘more fun to watch and to play in’ than the other leagues he has sampled. The 24-year-old adds the proximity of the fans, and the intensity of their support, also blew him away first time around.

Since we last saw Joao Felix in blue, he says he has made great strides forward which, allied to his Premier League expertise, will stand him in good stead for the exciting times that lie in wait at Stamford Bridge.

‘I’ve developed as a player in a lot of ways: the perception of the game, and the spaces the ball can arrive easily where I can make more impact,’ he explains. ‘I try to figure it out by watching some videos of me of my games.

‘I’ve kind of changed since I was last here. I’m 24 now. I’ll be 25 in November. I feel like I grew up as a player. That’s normal with age. I’m more prepared for the Premier League.

'I feel like my best years are ahead of me. I have no doubt about that. The best years are still to come. And this year is going to be a good year, because now I am permanently at home, and I can enjoy home.’

Joao Felix enjoyed watching Chelsea on Sunday, despite our defeat to Manchester City. He likes what he sees of Enzo Maresca’s methodology. ‘It will suit my game perfectly,’ he asserts. Two phone calls with the head coach prior to signing helped convince him Chelsea was his ideal long-term destination. Now he is here for good, Joao Felix is determined to make a lasting impression.

‘I just want to give my best to the team and the club; goals, assists,’ states the Portuguese.

‘This season I want to play as many games as I can, help the team and the club be on top of world football again. Chelsea needs to be up there. This season we have to do a big season, and I am going to do my best to help.’

With friends old and new, Joao Felix’s work starts now.