Chelsea are the latest club to be linked with £20 million rated Eder Militao and are set to rival Manchester City in pursuit of the Sao Paulo defender.
According to The Mirror, Manchester City’s interest in Eder Militao has been followed by a barrage of top European clubs entering the chase for the Sao Paulo defender. The versatile star is now on the radar of Chelsea, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund along with Portuguese giants FC Porto.
Eder Militao is a 20-year-old Brazilian star who has been capped by Brazil up to the Under-17 level. The star has been a regular in the senior Sao Paulo team for two seasons now and has showcased his versatility, taking to the field as a right-back, a centre-back and a defensive midfielder.
Militao has already been on the radar of Porto and quite recently, Manchester City. The Citizens are likely to have been enticed by the 20-year-old’s versatility, with Pep Guardiola earmarking the defender as a priority target come summer, which is likely to see another summer of spending at Etihad.
But, Chelsea’s entry in the entire scheme of things is interesting. The Blues could be set for a summer of overhaul, with Antonio Conte likely to depart in the summer and the new manager should bring in the players according to his need and remove the players he deems unnecessary or unfit in his plans and tactics.
Militao though, could be a signing by the club rather than the incoming manager. The 20-year-old could help bolster three positions in one go. At centre-back, Chelsea have Andreas Christensen, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta.
But, Azpilicueta is likely to return to his position on the right side of the defence if the new manager decides to revert to a four-man backline. And with Gary Cahill and David Luiz on the wrong side of 30, they need a replacement within the squad. Ethan Ampadu could be one answer while Militao could fill up the remaining slot.
Again, if the incoming manager reverts to a four-man backline, Moses is unlikely to be thrust into the right-back area, meaning Militao would be useful in beefing up the right side of the defence as well. As far as the midfield is concerned, Nemanja Matic is yet to be properly replaced within the squad and with Tiemoue Bakayoko uninspiring in his displays, the 20-year-old could find a spot for himself in the said position as well.
Militao seems like a prospect who is starting to attract interest from top Premier League clubs. And with the burgeoning interest in his ability, one has to wonder as to how long the price tag of £20 million remains the same. For, we could see a transfer war between Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United for the 20-year-old, which would only drive up the price.
