Why EFL Clubs Are Battling for Brazil's David Sousa
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Why EFL Clubs Are Battling for Brazil's David Sousa

Why EFL Clubs Are Battling for Brazil's David Sousa

The Championship has become a breeding ground for young, ambitious, international players, and the name David Sousa is quickly gaining traction as the next foreign prospect to watch.

The 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back, currently playing for RWD Molenbeek in Belgium’s second tier, has become the subject of a five-way tug-of-war between Coventry City, Derby County, Middlesbrough, QPR, and Swansea City.

Sousa is a left-field target considering he is untested not just in English football but at the higher levels, having played the majority of his senior games in Brazil and Belgium. But looking beyond the surface, you can see why so many Championship clubs see a potentially fruitful investment in the Rio-born left-footer.

Who is David Sousa?

Born in Rio de Janeiro in July 2001, David Sousa came through the ranks at Flamengo before being released and picked up by Botafogo in 2015. After signing a professional deal in 2018, he made his first-team debut in 2020. He was soon promoted permanently, and later spent two years on loan at Cercle Brugge in Belgium, where technical director Carlos Aviña labelled him 'one of the greatest young Brazilian talents... positive-aggressive on the ball and dominant in aerial duels.'

Now contracted to RWD Molenbeek - soon to be renamed Daring Brussels - Sousa is aiming to build a solid platform in European football. Across spells at Botafogo, Cercle Brugge, and Molenbeek, he has made over 85 senior appearances, scoring six goals and registering three assists. He's also gained experience in both top-flight and second-division European football.

Why the Fuss?

The hype around Sousa isn’t purely based on potential - his numbers last season back up the interest. Starting all 28 league games for Molenbeek, he played 2,469 minutes, kept 11 clean sheets, didn’t commit a single error leading to a goal, and avoided the dreaded red card. According to SofaScore, he averaged:

  • 4.0 clearances per game
  • 5.1 recoveries
  • 1.4 interceptions
  • 1.6 tackles
  • 4.1 aerial duels won per game - winning 68% of them

And, crucially, he’s left-footed, something increasingly sought-after in modern systems. He also offers versatility, having filled in at left-back on occasion.

From a technical perspective, Sousa is calm under pressure, calculated in his positioning, and shows a willingness to push up the pitch and split the lines with through balls.

Just from watching clips of the Brazilian online, he almost mirrors Declan Rice in the way he moves. He is 6 foot 3 but quite lean, and bursts towards the ball when he sees an opportunity to intercept. Footage from Sousa's time at Botafogo underlines his calculated but stealthy movement, whereby he holds his position and doesn't make rash tackles.

Statistically, he’s a progressive passer too, boasting 83% overall passing accuracy (90% in his own half, 72% in the opposition). Although his long-ball success rate stands at 41%.

The Suitors: Why Each Club Wants Him

Coventry City

Under Frank Lampard, Coventry have become a pressing, flexible outfit that switches between a 4-2-3-1 and back-three systems. Sousa’s agility and want to move up the pitch would suit Lampard's aggressive press, and he would slot into the back three on the left quite comfortably. Coventry fans have already voiced support online, with one member of Sky Blues Talk calling him a 'huge solid quick centre-half' who would 'fit our system perfectly.' Another supporter said:

"That’s the right age Lampard would like and would probably be a better replacement to Binks."

Meanwhile, other fans disagree and believe a more experienced signing is necessary.

"We need a better quality signing now rather than a cheap hopeful one," was one reply to the positive reaction surrounding Sousa.

Derby County

Sousa's profile could provide exactly the kind of left-footed balance Derby need - especially as Matthew Clarke remains one of their few naturally left-sided options. There’s also the return on investment factor: compared to signings like Carlton Morris, Sousa comes with sell-on value and resale potential.

For a club with financial constraints and ambitions of climbing the table, backing a player who can grow in value makes commercial and footballing sense. His flexibility to also play at left-back could help plug gaps if injuries strike.

Middlesbrough

New boss Rob Edwards has consistently used systems involving three centre-backs and high wing-backs - a shape Sousa could slot into well. His tendency to step forward, cover ground intelligently, and pass between the lines fits into Edwards’ high-energy, proactive approach.

Boro need to address squad depth at centre-half, particularly as they plan to play further up the pitch and reduce errors in possession. Sousa’s composure on the ball and 100% percentile ranking in defensive actions (via FotMob) make him an appealing acquisition.

QPR

With Ronnie Edwards returning to Southampton and Steve Cook now 34, QPR need fresh legs and a long-term project in defence. Some have reservations about signing untested foreign players:

“I think we are better off looking to our own development squad," wrote QPR fan Philip on Football League World.

But the reality is that Sousa’s ceiling is likely far above current academy prospects. He’s also already played in multiple countries and leagues, suggesting adaptability.

Swansea City

Swansea have already had an £850k bid rejected, showing they are clearly serious. Their high-possession style, under Russell Martin, suits defenders who are comfortable on the ball - just like Sousa.

Swansea are prioritising their defence in this transfer window, with the arrival of Ricardo Santos and Cameron Burgess bringing welcome news. But both are into the latter stages of their careers, so the purchase of Sousa would provide ammunition for a long-term project.

The Red Flags

For all his strengths, clubs are right to proceed with some caution.

  • Lack of top-level experience: He’s yet to play in a league as physically demanding as the Championship.
  • Injury history: Sousa missed the entire 2022/23 season with a knee injury - a serious red flag for a 23-year-old defender. He's also had two other injury layoffs in the past three years.
  • Possession loss: He averaged 12.0 possessions lost per game last season.

Is He Worth the Gamble?

With just one year left on his deal and a market value of around €750k, he’s unlikely to cost more than £1m-1.2m - a relatively low-risk fee in modern Championship football. At just 23, Sousa still has time to adapt and grow. And if he lives up to the buzz, the Championship may only be a stepping stone for the Brazilian who has already emerged from two of Brazil's most prestigious clubs. Although, perhaps it is Sousa's very origin that has whipped up so much hype - if he wasn't from Brazil would we be hearing so much noise?

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Tom Ewart Smith

Freelance Content Writer

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