Chelsea Interested In g 18-Year-Old Brazilian Left Back Dubbed “The New Marcelo” 2j1c3l

Chelsea are reportedly interested in g Souza – an 18-year-old left-back from Santos who has been dubbed “the new Marcelo.”

The highly-rated Brazilian talent has attracted attention for his dynamic performances in Brazil’s Serie B and is seen as a rising star in Brazilian football.

Souza has made just eight senior appearances for Santos but has already left a mark, contributing two assists and showcasing a mix of pace, flair, and technical quality.

His performances have earned him comparisons to legendary left-back Marcelo, who set the gold standard for attacking full-backs during his illustrious career with Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.

In addition to his club form, Souza has featured for Brazil’s under-17s, further bolstering his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young defenders.

His statistics (via Diario AS) highlight his defensive solidity too—an 80% success rate in duels and an average of 8.98 ball recoveries per game—reflecting his ability to influence matches at both ends of the pitch.

Chelsea’s strategy of investing heavily in young prospects from South America has been evident recently, with the club acquiring fellow Brazilian talent Estevao Willian for a reported €60 million.

If Chelsea secure do Souza’s signature, the plan would be to send him on loan to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, where the teenager could gain valuable first-team experience in Europe.

#LATEST: Chelsea and Barcelona have reportedly explored the possibility of g the 'new Marcelo': João Victor de Souza (18 years old) from Santos.

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Barcelona Also Interested In Souza u5t11

Barcelona, no strangers to scouting Brazilian talent themselves, are also monitoring Souza.

The Catalan giants are in the market for long-term options at left-back, with current choices limited to Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso.

Souza’s blend of pace, technical ability, and defensive consistency makes him a compelling option for the Blaugrana as they continue to rebuild their squad with an eye on the future.

While European heavyweights circle, Santos are keen to retain Souza and extend his contract, which currently runs until 2025.

The Brazilian club is also aware of interest from Saudi Arabia, where clubs are increasingly competing for young South American talent.