'So good' - Thiago Silva's new teammate is £52m wonderkid wanted by Premier League giants

‘So good’ – Thiago Silva’s new teammate is £52m wonderkid wanted by Premier League giants

January 24, 2026

in Arsenal

Reading Time: 10 mins read

Porto have been warned that they’ll already face a struggle to carry onto their newest wonderkid simply weeks after signing him.

The Portuguese giants have been lively within the winter market by touchdown 41-year-old Thiago Silva and a participant 24 years his junior.

Silva, who performed for Porto’s B staff between 2004 and 2005, has now returned to the membershipCredit score: Getty

Silva penned a six-month contract, with the choice of an additional 12 months at Porto, days after he formally departed Brazilian membership Fluminense.

The veteran defender’s first spell at ‘Tricolor’ led to 2008 upon his transfer to AC Milan, the identical 12 months Oskar Pietuszewski was born.

17 years later, the pair each made their league debuts for Porto in a 1-0 win over Vitória Guimarães on Sunday, and every had an affect.

Silva performed the complete 90 minutes and stored a clear sheet, however Pietuszewski stole the headlines with a panoramic cameo.

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European soccer professional Andy Brassell admitted he was ‘actually impressed’ in a glowing evaluation of the teenage winger’s debut.

“You have a look at him coming over simply earlier than Christmas, 17 years outdated, he is come from Poland, and also you’re pondering, ‘OK, one for the long run, right here we go’,” he instructed talkSPORT.com.

“Then he comes on within the second a part of the second half, away at Guimarães, perhaps essentially the most tough sport that Porto have had this season.

“Pietuszewski comes on, by no means performed for them earlier than, solely 17, and adjustments the sport.

“The way in which he stretches the play, he is enjoying off the left, the way in which he dribbles, the way in which he assaults gamers, the way in which he really will get via his defensive work when he isn’t bought the ball.

“What planet has this child come from? It is wonderful, actually.”

Pietuszewski’s dazzling debut

The Poland U21 worldwide joined compatriots and former Premier League stars Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior upon his Porto arrival.

Towards Guimarães, he got here on with the rating goalless after 73 minutes and gained a penalty from which Alan Varela scored the winner.

Pietuszewski then bought the house facet lowered to 10 males late on after gliding previous Telmo Arcanjo, who fouled him and was despatched off.

“From the second he is arrived, he is appeared tremendous assured,” Brassell continued to talkSPORT.

“Part of that’s he is already bought a superb stage of English, so he is speaking with everybody in Portugal from day one, which actually helps.”

Pietuszewski won a penalty and got an opponent sent off in his first outing — Pietuszewski gained a penalty and bought an opponent despatched off in his first outingCredit score: AFP

Varela (left) scored from the spot but owed it all to his new teammate — Varela (left) scored from the spot however owed all of it to his new teammateCredit score: Getty

‘Already going to be arduous to carry on to’

“But it surely’s attention-grabbing, since you suppose Francesco Farioli, as is his rising popularity, is such a win-now coach, that was what he was at Ajax, actually.

“His vibe, Farioli, is that in case you’re adequate, you may simply play, and that is it. And [Pietuszewski’s] made an unlimited first impression.”

Earlier this month, Pietuszewski signed a three-year contract at Porto till January 2029 with a launch clause of €60 million (£52m).

Brassell admitted: “I feel, relying on how a lot he contributes between now and the tip of the season, Pietuszewski is already going to be arduous to carry on to, it feels, as a result of he simply seems so good already.”

Pietuszewski will continue his development at Porto after leaving his boyhood club — Pietuszewski will proceed his growth at Porto after leaving his boyhood membershipCredit score: Getty

The Poland U21 international is considered a generational talent — The Poland U21 worldwide is taken into account a generational expertiseCredit score: Getty

Pietuszewski switch information

Porto’s 77 had burst onto his new supervisor’s radar when he made his first-team debut for native membership Jagiellonia at simply 16 years outdated.

Pietuszewski got here on in its place in a 3-0 away loss to Farioli’s Ajax within the second leg of the Europa League playoff spherical in 2024.

That connection could have performed an element within the Polish starlet snubbing curiosity from Premier League giants to hitch Porto.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Metropolis had been all reported to have despatched senior scouts to observe Pietuszewski in motion at the beginning of this season.

Pietuszewski, who boasted seven targets and two assists from the primary half of the 2025/26 marketing campaign, was additionally linked with Barcelona.

Pietuszewski has a release clause of €60m (£52m) — Pietuszewski has a launch clause of €60m (£52m)Credit score: Getty

Shopping for from the Portuguese league

English golf equipment are not any strangers to purchasing kids within the Portuguese league, however with blended outcomes.

Vitinha and Fabio Silva each struggled to settle at Wolves, and Enzo Fernández remains to be attempting to justify his £100m price ticket.

Nonetheless, Brassell argued: “Some gamers are simply so immediately convincing. I am simply going off a cameo in a single sport right here.

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“I am simply dazzled by this. I’ve no concept what it is going to be price.

“All I do know is it is pretty much as good as begins get, and likewise what it’s a must to say is Porto, Sporting and Benfica are actually, actually good at advertising and marketing gamers and extracting most worth.”

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