Luis Eduardo’s role at Grêmio, and whether he fits as Viery’s successor | OneFootball

Grêmio are reshaping their back line after Viery’s sale to Fiorentina, with attention turning to Luis Eduardo’s best role.

According to Globo.com, the right-footed centre-back has been used on the right in the first team, yet largely came through on the left.

Inside the club he had been viewed as a natural replacement for Gustavo Martins and Viery, while publicly he is seen as a rival to Martins and Balbuena. He mainly played left for the under-15 and under-17s, and his youth call-ups were in that role.

This year he extended his contract to 31 May 2028 and has started five matches. Manchester United and Chelsea approached him after his under-17 national-team displays, when he was captain in the 2025 South American title. Olympiacos made a 4 million euros offer, R$ 24 million, which was rejected.

He views time on the opposite side as helpful for his versatility, though he feels comfortable on the left. A standout youth moment came in the Copa São Paulo against Bragantino, when he chased back to block after the keeper was rounded, reaching 38 km/h.

With Viery gone, competition is open. In the friendly against Cascavel, Wagner Leonardo started on the left and Kannemann also featured there. On the right, Gustavo Martins played, then Wallace, a signing from CRB this window, came on.

Luis Eduardo returned to training this week after an injury sustained in late May. He could be an option to face Chapecoense on Saturday in Sinop, Mato Grosso.

Source: Globo.com