Chelsea are fast becoming a destination of choice for young Brazilians, and the Blues have another Selecao wonderkid in their sites with Gabriel Moscardo.
Chelsea have had mixed results since Todd Boehly replaced Roman Abramovich in ownership of the club in May 2022, but that hasn’t stopped the flow of Brazilian talent to Stamford Bridge.
Andre Santos was signed from Vasco da Gama in January, and he was joined by Santos pair Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington this summer.
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Santos and Angelo have since been loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg respectively, with the hope of emulating compatriot Thiago Silva in becoming a first-team regular at Chelsea in the future.
And now Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola claims they made a concrete attempt to add Corinthians starlet Moscardo in the most recent transfer window.
“So far there’s nothing concrete from Barcelona, but he’s been observed by several major European clubs including Barca, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea,” the Sao Paulo-based scribe said on YouTube.
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“Corinthians rejected two offers from Chelsea. They bid €20m and then came back in with €23m, but it wasn’t enough for Corinthians president Duilio Monteiro Alves.”
I’m seeing more links to Moscardo? Yes, please.
This is a decade-defining talent; one of those 10/10s of you will.
If Barça don’t get him, someone else inevitably will. Elite football beckons.
Deco knows it. He’s cooking. 🔥pic.twitter.com/H4WR6vRI82
— Domagoj Kostanjšak (@DKostanjsak) September 16, 2023
How good is Moscardo?
Moscardo is a rangy defensive midfielder who already stands at 6’2″ at the tender age of 17.
He made his Corinthians debut in June, coming on for the final 11 minutes of their 3-0 win over Uruguayan side Liverpool in the Copa Libertadores, and has since made 11 more appearances in all competitions.
Stylistically, his tall, slender physique and quick control and decision-making are reminiscent of Sergio Busquets, and he can be expected to anchor Chelsea’s midfield if he makes it there.
The Blues can’t sign him until he turns 18, however, something that happens in a matter of weeks, making a winter transfer most likely.
