Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing a highly-rated Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Athletico Paranaense.
The 22-year-old midfielder’s good form resulted in him being added to the Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year for the 2019 season.
As per Metro, Chelsea will battle London rivals Arsenal for the signing of the defensive midfielder. But, Portuguese side Benfica seem to be the frontrunners, having already placed a bid for Guimaraes.
The Brazilian joined Paranaense on a permanent deal in 2018 and has gone on to become a key player for the side, making 35 appearances in the last season.
Guimaraes’ current deal with the Brazilian side expires in 2023, having signed a five-year deal when he joined the club. Guimaraes is yet to play for the Brazilian senior side, but a call-up could come in the near future.
Bruno Guimaraes – A good option for Lampard?
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – MAY 30: Bruno Guimaraes Rodriguez Moura of Paranaense and Leonardo Ponzio of River Plate during the second leg match of the final of the CONMEBOL Recopa Sudamericana 2019 between River Plate and Athletico Paranaense at Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on May 30, 2019 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Amilcar Orfali/Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has a young and exciting team that needs a few more additions to perhaps challenge Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The Blues have exceeded expectations this season, with Lampard giving several youth academy graduates a shot at first-team football.
Bruno Guimaraes could be yet another exciting young talent in the Chelsea squad, one who is destined for great things.
The 22-year-old is capable of playing as a midfielder or defensive midfielder, and is a player who has a wide passing range. The Brazilian has the vision and technique to switch play, as well as keep the ball ticking with his short passes.
He also likes to move forward with or without the ball, and play through balls to his teammates in attacking positions. The midfielder averaged 64.8 passes per game, with a pass completion rate of 88.4%, while making an average of 1.8 key passes per game, last season.
Guimaraes also averaged 5.5 long balls per game in the season – an impressive number for a deep-lying playmaker.
Chelsea have several options in midfield, with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley, which means that Guimaraes may not get opportunities right from the start.
Lampard could maybe use him as a squad. He also offers something different from the other midfielders with his passing ability, which could be a draw for the Blues.