Angelo Gabriel: Profile, playing style, scouting report

Chelsea are on the verge of landing another talented Brazilian youngster

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea have agreed to sign Angelo Gabriel from Brazilian club Santos, and the youngster is expected to start his pre-season with the Blues. 

Who is Angelo Gabriel?

The 18-year-old, who has played in over 100 senior games, might follow Andrey Santos and Kendry Paez as the most recent South American prospects to sign with Chelsea.

Angelo is a quick, left-footed dribbler who typically plays as a wide forward despite choosing to operate on the right wing.

The diminutive Brazilian has played for Santos' senior team since the beginning of 2021. He made his debut for Neymar's old club at the age of 15, breaking Pele's record as the club's second-youngest rookie.

Until then, despite starring in the role of attacker, the 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) teenager has played more than 120 games for the team, but he has managed just five goals thus far.

How many clubs were earlier interested in signing him?

Angelo's €15 million transfer to Chelsea seemed to have given them an advantage over their rivals, but they are not the only team keeping a watch on the Santos teen.

Barcelona had the right to first refusal on the teenager, but due to financial difficulties and their ongoing struggle to recruit and register another Brazilian wonderkid, Vitor Roque, they decided not to make a bid.

In January, it was reported that Nottingham Forest was close to acquiring Angelo, but they now appear to be out of the running.

International career

In 2019, Ngelo played for Brazil's under-15 national team, scoring in a 4-0 victory over Uruguay on September 27 and competing in the South American U-15 Tournament in November.

Angelo was selected as part of the under-16s for the 2020 Montaigu Competition on March 6, but the event was eventually cancelled owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He got called up to the under-17s in October for training sessions in the subsequent period, but a COVID-19 test was conducted during that time.

Playing style of Angelo Gabriel

Left-footed Angelo serves on the right side as a winger. He wants to make a statement to his squad from here by cutting inside to his left. As previously mentioned, he has excellent dribbling ability and enjoys challenging his opponent.

One aspect that stands out is that Angelo now lacks that strong finish, which he is sure he will acquire as time goes on. He also likes to provide for and create opportunities for his squad. He plays a lot like Rodrygo if we can make a tiny comparison at this point, in regards to his actions on and off the ball.

There is little denying that Angelo is unique, but we will have to be patient and watch when there are new transfer-related events to realise this potential. He has all the necessary qualities to become a star and emulate some of the other geniuses who left Santos for greater things.