Chelsea begin negotiations over transfer of 17-old-year Brazilian defender who plays just like Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva is a Chelsea legend. (RETUERS)

Thiago Silva is rightly considered a Chelsea legend. He arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2020 in his late thirties on a one-year deal, and many assumed he was past his best.

Boy, were they wrong. Silva immediately established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest defenders, reminding everyone why he is regarded as one of Europe’s very best. He played a crucial role in helping Chelsea lift the Champions League in his debut campaign.

He stayed on for three more years, and while no further major silverware followed, Silva set a benchmark for defenders at the club — arguably the best the Blues have seen since the days of John Terry.

Now, having left Chelsea in 2024, the Blues are on the hunt for the next big thing in defence. Their sights are set on a young talent capable of carrying on Silva’s legacy and developing into a world-class centre-back for years to come.

According to AS, Chelsea have opened talks to sign 17-year-old Gremio centre-back Luis Eduardo Guedes de Souza.

Eduardo has already impressed at youth international level, scoring twice to help Brazil win the Under-17 South American Championship and playing a key role in the side that reached the Under-17 World Cup semi-finals, narrowly losing to Portugal on penalties.

The 2008-born defender, currently part of Gremio’s Under-20 squad, made his senior debut in the Gaucho Championship in February and has been named on the bench for two Brasileiro matches in 2025.

Already standing at 6ft 2in, he has drawn comparisons to Thiago Silva for his leadership, defensive intelligence, and aerial dominance.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing an official approach in the coming weeks. Eduardo’s current deal with Gremio runs until 2028 and includes a €60m (£52.7m) release clause, meaning a move will require a significant investment — but one that could secure the Blues’ defensive future for years to come.

If he really is anything like Silva, then there is no doubt Blues fans would love to see him at the Bridge.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.