Scouting Doria: Rumoured Chelsea Transfer Target

• Name: Matheus Doria Macedo
• Age: 18
• Club: Botafogo
• Nationality: Brazilian

Brazil Under-20 international Doria has enjoyed a staggering rise to prominence over the past 12 months after capitalizing on an injury crisis at Botafogo to earn a first-team spot early last summer at the age of 17.

Since then, his reputation has been on a rapid upward trajectory, as he represented Brazil at January's South American Under-20 Championship and went on to make his senior international debut in April.

Predictably, given his rise to the forefront of the domestic game in Brazil, it has not taken long for the elegant centre-back to be linked with a move to Europe and, in January, he came very close to joining Serie A winners Juventus. (Football Italia)

However, with the two clubs failing to agree on a suitable fee on that occasion, Doria remains in Brazil for the time being. Reports over the past fortnight, though, suggest that a move could once more be in the offing, with Europa League winners Chelsea the team most heavily linked.

Reports in England (Metro) suggested that an £8.2 million bid had been made for the teenager, but the trail has since gone quiet. Whether a bid has been made or not, though, it is clear that the Brazilian is a target for some of Europe's biggest and best sides.

What he can offer?

Given their similarity in age, there have been a lot of comparisons between Doria and Roma defender Marquinhos, who has also enjoyed a magical past 12 months. While both are incredibly composed for their age, however, there are noticeable differences in their games.

While Doria may lack his compatriot's speed across the ground, he is of a taller and stockier build than Marquinhos, offering hope that he would be well suited to the physicality of the Premier League.

He has proven to be technically strong, having grown up playing futsal, and distributes the ball well with his favoured left foot. Also, in defensive duties, his technique has yet to be found wanting.

What he is, is a very modern defender capable of mixing physical prowess with impressive technique—much in the same vein as current Brazilian defenders Thiago Silva and David Luiz.

His reading of the game is decent, but cannot yet be compared to either Marquinhos or Thiago Silva, and he is also less likely to push out of position than David Luiz—and he is not as technically outstanding, either.

Doria is tipped to be a mainstay of the Brazilian side in coming years and has shown enough to pique the interest of some of the world's most prominent clubs.

His commanding role in captaining Brazil's Under-20 side at the recent Toulon youth tournament also helped bring his abilities to wider European attention.

 

Will he move?

Chelsea are not lacking in centre-backs at present, with David Luiz, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Tomas Kalas and Kenneth Omeruo all in the hunt for a first-team spot this season.

Kalas and Omeruo, though, could well find themselves loaned out, while Terry's injury record of late is far from reassuring. Should both of the younger defenders depart, an extra player could be needed.

Doria, at just 18, is unlikely to be seen as an instant first-team regular—although he is arguably ready for consistent action. It may well be that any arrival in England would also see him become an instant candidate for a loan move.

At the moment, there has been little progress regarding a deal for several days. The possibility of a move happening by the end of the month, though, should not be discounted, with Botafogo no doubt eyeing the vast sums of cash currently being quoted.

Doria could go on to be a leading figure in his position, but it is now up to Chelsea to decide whether or not to gamble.