4 days ago
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Expert insight from Brazil
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Going from the blazing hot beaches in Southern Brazil to the freezing cold of North London is likely to be some culture shock, but that is exactly what awaits full-back Souza this January. Brazil has become a popular shopping ground for young talent for Premier League teams in recent years and the 19-year-old defender has become the latest to make the move as a teenager. He has a current market value of €5 million.
This Thursday, Tottenham confirmed that they had signed the defender from Santos on a long-term contract. The fee is thought to be in the region of €15 million. The Brazilian was keen to move on this winter with several other European clubs also enquiring this winter, including AC Milan and Newcastle. In a Spurs club statement, Souza said, "I grew up watching the Premier League so this is a childhood dream for me and I can’t wait to get going. This is a big step in my development. I’m really looking forward to this challenge and to being part of the squad here." With expert insight from Brazil, we bring you more on the Tottenham full-back and what he could bring to the Premier League.
What type of player is Souza?
Thiago Rabelo is a very well respected journalist and part of Transfermarkt's team in Brazil. He has been watching Souza's development closely and tells us more about what kind of player he is: "Souza is the typical Brazilian left-back. He's fast, quick, and very offensive. What I like most about him is his speed and courage in attacking spaces. As he is so fast, his dribbling is always at speed, a very important characteristic for a full-back."
That description may leave Spurs fan's brimming with excitement, but there are some areas for improvement, as Rabelo explains: "Souza still has a lot to develop. I still see him with physical and defensive weaknesses. The last Brazilian Championship shows how much room he has for growth. He started the year on the bench and, halfway through, became an important player for Neymar's Santos to avoid relegation."
In the last decade we have seen many young Brazilian talents leave their homeland for the riches of European football as teenagers. Some have been resounding successes. Other haven't worked and have soon returned. Rabelo admits this theme is becoming a concern: "I don't see him ready for European football. He's not even established in Brazil yet. This has been a big problem for many young players in Brazil. They leave the country very young and without establishing themselves at their formative club. Souza is a player who doesn't arrive in Europe fully formed, but he is a player with a lot of potential to develop."
