Antonio Conte is expected to be a busy man this summer as he is already making plans for some big money moves in the summer. The manager wants to improve certain areas in the squad and the midfield composition is one he will surely look into at the end of the season.
Conte wants a star player to partner N Golo Kante in the midfield at the Stamford Bridge and has been looking at a number of players recently. One player, who Chelsea will have to fight out for is Brazil sensation, Thiago Maia.
Also linked with a move to the club in the past, Maia is one of the most exciting players in the Brazil domestic circuit and is finally ready for the next step. He has 31 appearances for Santos in the top flight of Brazil domestic football this season and is also wanted by a host of clubs in Europe. Chelsea will have to fight for his signature but is he a right fit at the Stamford Bridge?
A defensive midfielder by trait, Maia is a hard-tackling midfielder who loves to put his body on the line for his team. Capable of playing in a slightly central role as well, Maia is at his best in a deep-lying role where he loves to sit just in front of the defence to nip out attacks at an early stage.
At just 20, he has an incredible ability to read the game and stay a step ahead, which makes him a potential superstar in Europe.
He can dribble past opponents and can use his pace to good effect but Maia is a player who loves to spread passes from his deep position, laying off the ball for his teammates in free spaces.
He is also decent with his long range passing but at his age, he will only get better. He is not a strong bloke but is thundering with his tackles and is a player who will fit right in at Chelsea.
Conte has used the likes of Cesc Fabregas for creativity and Nemanja Matic for stability alongside Kante in the midfield this season. However, neither player has done enough to cement a place in the side in the long term and the Brazil star could be the solution for Conte.
He is still not established at the highest level and has played at just one club in his entire career, but at 20, he will improve with quality around him and Conte can snap him up, to slowly get him used to the English league next season.
Maia is not a first team option for Chelsea but he is not too far away from turning into such a player in the future. Do you think Thiago Maia is a good option for Chelsea?
