Chelsea have been linked with a move for Benfica defender Tomas Araujo – but the Blues must ensure they don’t make the same mistake as they did with his former teammate Enzo Fernandez. Araujo, 22, has emerged as one of the most promising young centre-backs in European football following his performances over the past couple of years.
Araujo joined Benfica in 2016, aged 14, having previously played at youth level for Operario Famalicao, Palmeiras FC and Evolution Soccer Academy. After rising through the ranks, Araujo made his professional debut for Benfica’s B team in September 2020. He made his first-team bow a year later against Sporting da Covilha in the Taca da Liga.
He spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Gil Vicente before returning to Benfica and cementing himself as a key member of the senior squad. Although Araujo didn’t play as much as he would have wanted last season due to form and fitness, he has been a mainstay so far this season, having made 17 appearances across all competitions.
In fact, Araujo has started in five of their six Champions League matches and in 11 of their 13 Liga Portugal fixtures. However, with Chelsea and Crystal Palace among those tipped to sign the highly-rated centre-back, Benfica have tied him down to a new four-and-a-half year deal with Araujo now under contract until the summer of 2029.
If you cast your mind back to July 2022, Fernandez signed a long-term with Benfica – a matter of months before he made the £106.8million move to Stamford Bridge. Could history be repeating itself with Araujo? Who knows, but what is clear is that Chelsea need to ensure they don’t pay over the odds for a defender who hasn’t had that much experience at the top level yet.
Although Fernandez is starting to come into his own under Enzo Maresca in recent weeks, has he been worth the then-British transfer record fee that Chelsea paid for him? He hasn’t done enough so far, in my opinion. There is no doubt mistakes have been made since Todd Boehly took over two-and-a-half years ago, but they can ensure they don’t make another now.
However, there is a slight difference in a deal for Araujo compared to that of Fernandez. This is because Araujo is expected to cost a significant amount less. According to Fabrizio Romano, Araujo’s release clause in his new contract is worth £66m. While still a very hefty fee, it could make a move to west London more likely if the relevant parties involved are interested.
Chelsea might need to dip into the transfer market for a new centre-back. It does feel like if the Blues are going to sign someone in January, another central defender would be welcomed considering that Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo haven’t been at their best this season. Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have cemented themselves in the starting XI but neither of them have been at their best, either.
