Chelsea’s search for defensive reinforcements has seen them put highly rated Marseille and Brazil international defender Doria under their radar for a prospective swoop, and the 21-year-old is excited with the links as well.
Conte still isn’t satisfied with the level of defending of the team this season, and he has watched his side concede 9 league goals in 8 games. This has made him identify the little known one-capped Brazil international as a quality addition to Chelsea’s defense department.
So, who is Doria?
Football Background/C.V
The young centre-back started his career at Brazilian local side Botafogo in 2012 having proceeded to the senior team after 4 years in the youth ranks.
His defensive abilities attracted a couple of European sides including Barcelona, Chelsea, and Juventus as he established himself as one of the most promising defensive youngsters on the South American continent. Marseille came out tops in the battle for the then 19-year-old in the summer of 2014.
However, the Ligue 1 side’s manager at the time Marcelo Bielsa, was not aware of Doria’s signature until the day he arrived for his medicals, and the Argentine coach failed to recognize his talents simply because the club’s management went against his wishes to have Toby Alderweireld, who was considered surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid and available on loan at the time.
Having failed to make a single appearance in the French Ligue until the winter transfer window that season, Doria was sent on loan back home to São Paulo. By summer, he linked up with La Liga side Granada on a season-long loan.
His performances meant the 2-time Toulon Tournament winner with the Brazil under-20 will earn a permanent recall, and he has been a mainstay in the side’s starting XI this season, appearing in all but 1 of Marseille’s Ligue 1 fixtures till date.
Style of Play
The 6 ft 2 in defender is known for his ball-playing abilities, and he could become the Bonucci Chelsea are finding difficult to land. Doria has a keen eye for reading the game well and is not one to fear when it comes to playing the ball from the back.
His ease with possession makes him a toast of managers who love such characteristics in defenders. The Brazilian is also a hard-tackling no-nonsense centre-half who likes to play long balls and off the ground often.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Despite his height and commanding presence at the back, he sometimes fails to take advantage of these features losing duels easily. Doria also commits fouls, getting into the referee’s book thrice already this season, and he is not the best passer of the ball.
He makes up for these little deficiencies that would be corrected with more playing time and experience with his technical abilities on the ball. Having averaged 10 defensive actions this term, the Brazilian is definitely worth every attention. His defensive brilliance has seen him win 3 tackles with a 23% success rate, make 15 interceptions, 54 clearances and 11 blocks.
Where will he fit in
The left-footed defender will no doubt be a perfect fit for Chelsea’s newly-adopted 3-man defence. Given how Cahill isn’t your most comfortable defender on the ball, Doria definitely can challenge the English defender for a playing berth.