Ian Wright was impressed by Joao Felix’s eventful Chelsea debut (Pictures: Getty)

Ian Wright has backed new Chelsea signing Joao Felix to emulate Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes at Stamford Bridge.

Portugal forward Felix will spend the rest of the season in west London after joining the Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid last week.

Felix endured an eventful Premier League debut, initially impressing in Chelsea’s clash with Fulham before being shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge.

The moment of madness cost Chelsea who went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage and lose further ground in the top-four race.

But Wright was nevertheless encouraged by what he saw from Felix and says the 22-year-old can enjoy similar success to Fernandes, who has excelled at Old Trafford following a January move from Sporting Lisbon in 2020.

Former Arsenal and England striker Wright even suggested Chelsea should be trying to sign Felix on a permanent deal when his loan spell comes to an end, telling Blues owner Todd Boehly to ‘send the money’.

‘When I watched Joao Felix, honestly he was exhilarating. I wouldn’t be too worried by the red card,’ Wright said on the Ringer FC podcast.

Bruno Fernandes hit the ground running at Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

‘Chelsea fans should be really pleased I think. Todd, send the money now!

‘He hit the ground running with his creativity and pace. The skill, the pace, the application… it was all there. He could have scored a hat-trick against Fulham.

‘He showed us so much in such a short space of time so if I’m a Chelsea fan I’m very, very excited.

‘If he continues like that, we’re looking at a Bruno Fernandes introduction to the Premier League because he literally came in and balled straight away.

‘You can see already that it’s going to work out.’

Chelsea boss Graham Potter said Felix could have no complaints after he was sent off, but insisted he was pleased with his display before the dismissal.

Felix will spent the rest of the season on loan at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

‘Joao is a young player, a top player, you could see the quality he brought to the game,’ Potter said. ‘I didn’t see any malice in the challenge at all.

‘It was a little bit high of course but the referee then has a decision to make. He’ll learn from it.

‘He was having a fantastic impact on the game and to lose him for three matches is really disappointing.’

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