Chelsea chase “the new Marcelo” despite having £8.5m USA international on loan | OneFootball

Chelsea’s evolution towards their new model has involved some interesting strategies, and one of the most visible is their decision to go right to the source and start dominating South American markets before the most talented players get filtered through teams in Europe.

It means bigger risks, but potentially bigger rewards. Why pay £100m for Enzo Fernandez from Benfica when you can pay River Plate £10m for him a couple of years before?

The latest name being lined up is Joao Victor de Souza, known simply as Souza. Emerging from the legendary Santos youth academy, the 18 year old is a left back being called the “new Marcelo” for his skill on the ball.

An article in Spanish paper AS today names Chelsea and Barcelona as the teams leading the race. The paper even claims to have more details on the Blues’ plan: to buy Souza and then loan him to their sister team Strasbourg for at least a year while he develops. There is also apparently at least one offer from Saudi Arabia, while Santos are obviously keen to extend his contract, which expires in May.

João Victor de Souza in a photo from Santos FC.

Chelsea’s endless desire for talent reaches young Souza

If Souza is as good as some people think, snagging him on a free transfer in January for him to arrive next summer is a no-brainer. Chelsea have already in fact bought a left back and loaned him to Strasbourg – Caleb Wiley last summer.

But the accumulate talent at all costs mentality means they won’t be put off buying another. Their attempts to sign Pedro Lima last summer didn’t work out, but another year brings another “new Marcelo” and another chance for the Blues to sign up a potential star of the future from South America.