Two years ago, young midfielder Bruno Guimarães was toiling in the fourth level of Brazilian football, at Audax Rio. On Wednesday, he scored the only goal in Athletico Paranaense’s 1-0 first leg win over Internacional in the Brazil Cup final.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the 21-year-old, who’s proving himself to be one of the best at his position to come out of Brazil in recent years.
But it’s not with goals that Bruno’s making his name — he averages about one every ten games. Rather, it’s been his high-level and consistent performances overall, which have piqued the interest of several clubs abroad, including Chelsea. In fact, the Blues sent a scout to observe Bruno for the fifth time this year during Wednesday’s match, as per a report from Globo Esporte journalist Monique Silva.
Vale destacar que um observador do Chelsea esteve hoje, na Arena da Baixada, para ver o Bruno jogar. Pela quinta vez no ano. https://t.co/PJ2SxINsIb
— Monique Silva (@Monique_Silva) September 12, 2019
Inevitably, Bruno was asked about Chelsea’s interest in his services. He said he was happy that his showings are leading to rumours involving his name. But he is not getting ahead of himself, as his focus remains on putting his best efforts forward in order to win trophies with his current team.
“I am very happy with interest from [other] teams. I think it is normal when a player is doing well, so I leave these at the hands of my agents. I am very happy [to be] here [at Athletico], and I am very focused at the [Brazilian Cup] final.”
-Bruno Guimarães; source: ESPN Brasil
Bruno might not be as good as, say, Oscar was coming out of Brazil in 2012, but he is at the very least a very good prospect with a great mindset, and the skills and tools to succeed at the highest levels of football. Now it all depends on us being able to convince him that Chelsea are the club to be in his journey to stardom.