Chelsea target Maxi Araujo shines despite Uruguay loss to Spain at the World Cup | OneFootball

Chelsea are interested in signing Sporting CP’s Maxi Araujo this summer, according to reports from Portugal.

The Blues are reinforcing the full-back areas with the Stamford Bridge club already adding Marco Palestra.

Bringing a left-wing-back on the opposite side following the departure of Marc Cucurella will be a priority for Chelsea, and Araujo is on the transfer shortlist.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan international lined up against Spain at the 2026 World Cup and showed exactly why the West Londoners are chasing his signature.

The Chelsea target won 8/15 ground duels and had to contend with Lamine Yamal. He made 16 carries (three of them were progressive).

He also completed 19/20 passes under intense Spanish pressure and 4/6 dribbles while putting in some dangerous crosses into the box.

In fact, he is one of the few Uruguay players who can leave the tournament with their head held high after most of them reportedly downed tools.

Araujo overlapped, underlapped, switched to the right wing, running the length of the pitch for the full 90, qualities Chelsea need from any incoming wing-back.

Lewis Hall should be Chelsea’s priority, but Araujo is an excellent alternative

Despite Araujo’s outstanding display, Chelsea should still make Lewis Hall their priority if the opportunity arises this summer.

The Newcastle United star offers a more complete package, combining attacking quality with defensive reliability in a league he already knows inside out.

Hall has shown he can influence games in the final third while also coping with the relentless physical demands of the Premier League.

There is also the emotional connection. A Cobham academy graduate, Hall understands Chelsea’s standards, expectations and culture better than almost anyone.

It remains unclear whether he’d be willing to return, given that the Club World Cup champions sold him mindlessly for pure profit.

Araujo’s intensity and work rate make him an excellent alternative.

Still, Hall’s superior all-round effectiveness, proven Premier League pedigree and homegrown status make him the smarter long-term investment for the Blues.