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Wallace is now the thirteenth Chelsea player to be sent to Vitesse since the partnership began back in 2010, and it's worth taking a look at how he'll fit in at Arnhem club during the upcoming season.
First, a bit of background on the young Brazilian - Wallace is fullback who plays almost-exclusively on the right and just turned twenty last month. After a preliminary deal had been in the works for some time, he officially came over from Fluminense in January 2013 for around £4.7m, and signed a five and a half year deal with Chelsea (in part, thanks to former Chelsea man, Deco). He has represented Brazil at both the U17 and U20 levels, but had what essentially amounts to a lost year at Inter Milan last season, having earned a mere 43 Serie A minutes.
WAGNH spoke with the always-excellent @chelseayouth last month about Wallace's prospects at Vitesse, and he could face some competition from Kelvin Leerdam, the offensive-minded incumbent right back.
Leerdam, who only just turned twenty-four last week, scored eight goals in twenty-eight Eredivisie matches last season, good for third on the team behind Chelsea's own Lucas Piazon (11) and the recently-departed striker Mike Havenaar (10).
Speaking about the loan, Vitesse's technical director Mo Allach appears to think that manager Peter Bosz can use Wallace, describing him as "a young player with a lot of talent, he fits well in the offensive style of play we use at Vitesse. Wallace's arrival will also provide better opportunities in the defense and in midfield."
Indeed, Wallace provides depth at fullback and also allows Leerdam to slide over to defensive midfield if necessary.
Wallace will need to improve dramatically before having a chance at securing an English work permit, and at Vitesse, he'll surely get more playing time than he did at Inter Milan. His former Brazilian youth international teammate Lucas Piazon had an eventful spell at Vitesse, having been the best player in the Eredivisie during the first half of season, but also having been dropped from the lineup a few times during the second half of the season. Wallace would do well to listen to whatever advise Piazon can share, as Vitesse has European ambitions and minutes in Peter Bosz' starting eleven won't be given away freely - they will have to be earned.