“Difficult to keep players like him”- Sporting CP boss gives verdict on 22-year-old Chelsea target’s future

Ruben Amorim cannot confirm anything about the future of Chelsea target Manuel Ugarte

Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim is not going to confirm anything about the future of Chelsea target and Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

The Daily Mail reported that the Blues are willing to match the bid from Paris-Saint Germain to sign the 22-year-old. The player has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs as well.

Ugarte signed for Sporting in the summer of 2021 from fellow Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao. He is a defensive midfielder who predominantly plays in a midfield pivot.

Here’s what Amorim said when asked about the future of the 22-year-old with his team (h/t Football.London):

“In relation to Manu, I cannot confirm anything, that part is beyond me. Obviously it’s difficult to keep players like him, there are several clubs behind, not just one, knowing that our project is not sold and that we missed the Champions League.

“It makes everything more difficult. We will see. It’s not my job, but I know what I want to do with the team, I’ve already conveyed that to the board, we’re prepared for any scenario.”

Sporting are not a final destination for players who are wanted by some of the bigger clubs in Europe (with all due respect). Add that to the fact that they won’t play Champions League football next season, might make it tougher for them to keep hold of Ugarte.

Although Chelsea also cannot offer that to the player, they are a bigger club than Sporting in stature and recent winning history. So, the project might be attractive to a top player like Ugarte.

With Mateo Kovacic likely to leave in the summer and N’Golo Kante’s contract expiring, the Blues must remain active in the market to sign a central or defensive midfielder.

Although they have also joined the race to sign Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse, the focus should be on getting the Ugarte deal over the line first.

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Getting the latter would not improve the defensive side of their midfield game, but also potentially free Enzo Fernandez up to play the box-to-box role and impact more in the final third. The Argentine has the talent and craft to operate as an advanced playmaker.