Scouts from both Chelsea and Newcastle United were busy in Europe on Tuesday evening, keeping tabs on an incredibly impressive Champions League performance.
Despite Chelsea’s brilliant league position under Enzo Maresca right now, the club are unlikely to stand still when it comes to strengthening their squad.
Similarly, Newcastle would love to welcome some fresh talent at St James’ Park in the near future, even if Eddie Howe is unlikely to spend in January – a message pedalled from Newcastle’s chiefs.
Nonetheless, TBR Football understands that both clubs alongside Manchester United were in attendance to watch Club Brugge’s impressive win over Sporting CP on Tuesday.
Chelsea and Newcastle continue checks on Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez
More than 20 clubs were represented at the Jan Breydel Stadium to see Brugge record a 2-1 victory over Ruben Amorim’s old side, who have struggled since his departure.
In particular, both Chelsea and Newcastle were at the game to continue their checks on Brugge’s highly-rated Ecuadorian centre-back, Joel Ordonez.
Joel Ordonez of Club Brugge during the UEFA Champions League match between Club Brugge v Sporting CP at the Jan Breydel Stadium on December 10, 2...
Photo by Pim Waslander/Soccrates/Getty Images
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20-year-old Ordonez emerged from Independiente de Valle’s academy in Ecuador in recent years, the same path trodden by Moises Caicedo.
The defender is now enjoying an outstanding campaign in Belgium, delivering a performance which helped keep Viktor Gyokeres quiet in front of multiple scouts.
Of course, Chelsea and Newcastle also had the chance to check on Sporting during their 2-1 defeat – a side whose starting eleven included a raft of players they have long-term interest in.
Man United scouts also in place to watch former Ruben Amorim talent
The same goes for Man United, who may have had a particular interest in Maxi Araujo.
The 24-year-old winger started on the left for Sporting and is a player that Amorim rates very highly, one playing in a position that United are looking to improve in 2025.
Interestingly, Geovany Quenda – one of Sporting’s most talked about players, featured as an attacking midfielder in the defeat.
Quenda has earned a lot of interest in England as a result of his performances as a wing-back or in midfield, rather than playing a more advanced central role.
Harping back to Ordonez, it’s believed that the Ecuador star could cost interested clubs £25m in the near future, a bargain price in comparison to international teammate, Caicedo.
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