Exclusive: Chelsea stance to see them miss out on “new Marcelo” and Arsenal will take full advantage



Chelsea’s habit of buying players only to immediately send them on loan to Strasbourg will see Enzo Maresca miss out on signing a brilliant Brazilian.

Sources have told CaughtOffside that the Blues have been scouting the “new Marcelo” for quite some time, but there would appear to be little chance of the club being able to land 18-year-old left-back Joao Victor de Souza from Santos.

The Blues missed out on Mathys Tel but will sign a Ruben Amorim favourite in the summer.

Chelsea won’t sign Joao Victor de Souza

Chelsea’s plan was to loan the player to Strasbourg as it was considered an important step in his adaptation to European football.

Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts during the Premier League match against West Ham United FC at Stamford Bridge on February 03, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Perhaps the Luis Guilherme situation at West Ham has served as an example of why it’s important not to throw Brazilian youngster’s straight into Premier League action.

Whatever the reason, the player and his agent aren’t impressed according to sources, and what’s more galling for Chelsea is that, according to CaughtOffside sources, London rivals, Arsenal, are set to take advantage.

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The young left-back is recognised already as an effective player in attack as well as for his defensive skills, which makes him a very valuable player in modern football.

Barcelona, who have a history of signing Brazilian players, have also been keeping tabs on him for some time, but it’s likely that they will miss out too.

Strasbourg stint not appealing for Chelsea target

Once any deal with Arsenal is confirmed, that’s likely to mean that Myles Lewis-Skelly is pushed further forward, if it’s Mikel Arteta’s intention to bring the player into the first-team fold straight away.

If not, de Souza will almost certainly provide competition for his contemporary.


 

De Souza has expressed his preference to play in Europe, and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Romario, Rivaldo and Neymar.

Were he to come anywhere close to being that successful, the Gunners will have a gem on their hands.