Souza transfer: Enzo Maresca to bring wonderkid to Chelsea? Whisper+ verdict

Latest developments

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• Chelsea want to sign Santos' left-back Joao Victor de Souza.

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• Known as Souza, the 18-year-old has played just eight first-team matches.

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• Barcelona are also interested in the next Brazilian “wonderkid”.

Whisper+ analysis

Authenticity (2/5): Unnamed source reporting to Spain

The next wonderkid off the shelf in Brazil is 18-year-old Souza, who Chelsea want to sign and loan out to Strasbourg, one of the clubs in the BlueCo group, while he develops.

That is according to AS in Spain, who give little information about their source, though interest from Barcelona suggests they could have some knowledge on the negotiations.

Value (2.5/5): Very difficult to judge

So far, the left-back has made just eight senior appearances for Santos, whose academy he graduated from. After relegation last year, Santos are now plying their trade in Serie B, meaning he is yet to play top-flight football.

It is very difficult to judge his worth, though the top European scouts are obviously impressed. Transfermarkt values him at €100 thousand, but there is no chance of Pele's former club letting him go for so little.

Suitability (3/5): Has the hallmarks of a future talent

With pace and great technical ability, it is unsurprising to learn that the left-back began life as a winger before moving back. At 1.83m he is also fairly tall for his position.

Physically, he has the ingredients to succeed in English football, but there is such little evidence to go on.

Upgrade? (1.5/5): One for the future

If the plan to loan him out to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for the foreseeable future is true, then clearly Chelsea see him as a long-term option, and not an upgrade on their current left-backs Marc Cucurella and Ben Chilwell.

Logic (3/5): Strasbourg plan could be beneficial

If Souza were to go to Barcelona, then he would likely be quite far down the pecking order at first, although the Catalan side might beg to differ, given their youth policy.

Heading to Strasbourg as a stepping stone might be a more logical approach for someone with so few first-team minutes, though he will not want to be another player lost somewhere in the BlueCo system, loaned out by Chelsea for all enternity.

Whisper+ verdict: 12/25

Is Souza good enough to make it at the top level? Is he ready to make the jump to Europe's top-five leagues? Is Chelsea's loan plan the right option for his development?

There are too many questions surrounding this deal, Enzo Maresca might be better off steering clear.