The latest sensation coming to life in the U-20 World Cup, Bruma (Armindo Tué Na Bangna) of Sporting CP & Portugal, is already being mentioned as the next Cristiano Ronaldo, and which means it’s not surprising to see a club like Chelsea join the hunt to try and sign him.
So far, the 18-year old winger who was born in Guinea-Bissau has scored five goals in three matches as Portugal finished first in their group, advancing to the round of 16 in order to face Ghana. He has already played 13 times for the senior Sporting side this season, scoring one goal and adding 4 assists, but it seems that his quick rise to fame on the global stage (and also impressing, along with Andre Gomes and Betinho) in the U-19 European championship from last season might land him with a big club.
According to the Sunday Times, Jose Mourinho has been following Bruma from before the tournament, and was actually interested in signing him to Real Madrid, something which didn’t work out.
Unfortunately for Sporting, their financial problems make it very difficult for them to keep any player that gathers some outside (or from Benfica & Porto) interest, and especially when Bruma has only one year left on his contract. There are those that suggest he would like to stay with Sporting, and that at his age, his best chance of developing further is with his current team.
However, now that the word is out through his performances in the championship held in Turkey, it’s going to be very difficult for Sporting to keep Bruma, unless Chelsea sign him and immediately loan him back. Frankly, despite his immense talent, Mourinho doesn’t usually play young players, and even if Chelsea do sign Bruma (for €5-10 million?), his chances of playing for the side next season are minuscule, which means that either remaining at Sporting or being signed and loaned back is the best thing to do for him.
Other young talents owned by Chelsea and loaned out to others have done quite well in the last couple of seasons: Thibaut Courtois with Atletico Madrid and Kevin de Bruyne at Werder Bremen.