According to a report by Portuguese outlet O Jogo, Chelsea are interested in signing Benfica defender Tomas Araujo as they look to improve the defensive line. However, they will surely face stiff competition from several European clubs.
The Rise of Tomas Araujo
Tomas Araujo joined Benfica in 2016 and has been associated with them since then. He made his senior team debut in December 2021 and has made huge strides. He has emerged as a reliable name on the team sheet and a future star.
Last season, Araujo participated in 20 games and had one goal to his name. He averaged 0.9 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, and 1.2 clearances per game (stats via whoscored).
The Portuguese centre-back features as a centre-back and is blessed with good pace. His strong physicality, timely tackles and high jumping abilities make him an ideal defender. He has also got a strong command on the ball with his feet.
Tomas Araujo has a high release clause
Chelsea were interested in Tomas Araujo in the summer window but the deal didn’t go through. However, the club has decided to retain their interest as they believe the youngster can be a long-term solution to their defensive worries.
The Blues’ pursuit of Tomas makes sense as the future of the likes of Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are under the radar. Talking about the 22-year-old has shown his high qualities and immense potential in the Portuguese league.
The centre-back has all it takes to succeed in the Premier League. He can be a valuable pick for many years to come if he continues to develop his game further. On the finance side, the youngster has a release clause of €100 million. While no way Benfica would get that much, the Portuguese side will still demand a premium fee to sanction the move of their hot property.
