Gustavo Lucas Domingues Piazón, known simply as Lucas Piazón (born 20 January 1994 in São Paulo, Brazil), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Premier League club Chelsea. He is primarily a Forward, although he has also been deployed as a winger, as an attacking midfielder or in the hole behind the striker.

Piazón is a Brazilian youth international.

Early life[link]

Gustavo Lucas Domingues Piazón was born in São Paulo, to Antonio Carlos Piazón (a commercial representative) and Marizabel Domingues (a lawyer). He had a financially secure upbringing that allowed him to focus on both school and football at the same time. Both of Piazón's parent's took an active role his in career. He grew with his sister Juliana, who is four years younger than him^[3] and was a Chelsea supporter from an early age, aspiring to play for them some day.^[4][5]

When he was young, Piazón's family moved to Paraná. Piazón's football skills began to blossom at the of age 8. He developed an interest in futsal (indoor football) like other Brazilian footballers (such as Zico and Ronaldinho). He began playing for what is now known as Coritiba Futsal Club. At the age of 11, Piazon made the switch from indoor to grass.

Club career[link]

Youth career[link]

Brazil[link]

Piazón began his professional career with Coritiba Football Club. He made an impression with them becoming top scorer in every youth tournament he appeared in. The Coritiba set-up wasn’t organized enough as his parents had to fund his and other children's away trips. In 2007, he moved to more organized and neighbouring club, Atlético Paranaense. He again turned out, as Atlético reached the finals of the U-15 Copa do Brasil in 2008, which they eventually lost to São Paulo. São Paulo became very impressed with his performance and made an offer. At the age of 14, Piazón left his family behind in Curitiba and joined São Paulo. In May, the he began to attract the attention of international scouts when he helped guide São Paulo through the Brazilian qualifiers for the Premier Cup (Nike Cup). It was around this time that he was also called up by Brazil's U-15s. In August, São Paulo travelled to Manchester for the Premier Cup finals. In the Group stage, Piazon scored in the 3–0 win versus Manchester United. São Paulo then went on to beat Werder Bremen in the final match. Having graduated from the same São Paulo youth set-up that produced the likes of former Brazil captain Cafu, playmaker Kaká and former Chelsea defender Juliano Belletti, Piazón constantly caught the eye when playing well for Brazil's young national sides.^{[citation needed]}

Chelsea Youth and Reserves[link]

In early 2011, Chelsea secured the services of Piazón by means of a pre-contract, having to fight off the interest from a number of the world's leading clubs, including Italian giants Juventus.^[6] On 15 March 2011, São Paulo announced that Piazón could only play for Chelsea senior team after 20 January 2012 when he became eligible to obtain a work visa, but he would join in the 2011 summer transfer window. Chelsea announced 10 days later with Piazón passing a medical in London in early March 2011. It was reported that Chelsea paid in the region of £5 million to acquire Piazón, which could rise to £10 million depending on several clauses.^[7][8] He was transferred to Chelsea during the 2011 summer transfer window and started playing for the reserves.^[9][10] In an interview he stated, "[I chose Chelsea because] I like the Premier League. I think my way of playing and my skills are more suited to the Premier League."^[11]

Piazón made his debut for the reserve team against Fulham, thereafter he said, 'I am able to play in the Youth Cup now,' he added. 'Everybody knows I am here to play, so my main aims for the season are to play as many youth games as possible and hopefully feature in the reserves as well, and I want to win the Youth Cup.' He also stated, 'I am enjoying the company of Ramires, Alex and, of course, David Luiz is my best friend here. He is so funny and always joking so it's nice'.^[12] Piazon scored his first reserve goal in an away victory against Arsenal, just before full-time with a solo effort, inside the box before firing it into the net.^[13] He has scored twice in five games for the reserves and once in six for the youth team, most notably the winner in the FA Youth Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers.^[14] He won the FA Youth Cup on 9th may 2012 against Blackburn.

Chelsea[link]

On 20 January 2012, his 18th birthday, Piazón obtained a work visa and became eligible to play for the Chelsea senior team. On 26 January 2012, he signed a contract extension that will keep him with the club until 2017.^[15] Piazón was handed the number 35 shirt, having impressed at Under-18 and Reserve level. Piazón was an unused substitute on the Chelsea bench, on 31 January 2012, in their 1–1 league draw against Swansea City^[16] and on 5 February 2012, in the 3–3 draw against Manchester United.^[17] Former Chelsea manager, Villas-Boas said of Piazón, after the Manchester United game: "He has trained more with the first team, which is very good for him. He's made great progress since arriving and in the last two games was on the bench. Unfortunately, he had no opportunity to enter, but has done a great job in the reserves team. He is a player that we have high hopes for."^[18]

On 10 May 2012, Piazon was named Chelsea Young Player of the Year in his first season. He was part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup Final 24 hours earlier. "I am very happy and I didn't expect this. It has been a fantastic week for me. David Luiz and Ramires have helped me a lot here as when I came in I was alone. I hope to be at Chelsea a long time and I will keep working." he said.^[19] Later that week he was named on the bench on the final day of the season, in a home game against Blackburn Rovers which Chelsea won 2–1, but was not involved in the game.^[20]

International record[link]

Piazón has represented Brazil at both under-15 and under-17 levels. At under-15 level, he aided his team to second place in the South American Under-15 Football Championship of 2009 in Bolivia, in which he was the top goalscorer with ten goals.^{[citation needed]}

At under-17 level, during an international game for Brazil's U17 squad against Paraguay, Piazón started and scored in bizarre fashion. He kicked the ball with such force that it broke through the side netting of the goal post in the process as Brazil went on to lose 2–1. In 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, he scored a goal against the Ivory Coast which resulted in a 3–3 draw.^{[citation needed]}

Style of play[link]

A tactical player, he is known for his flair, passing, powerful shooting, free-kick taking, reading of the game and clinical finishing. Piazón commented on his playing style saying: "I'd say my playing style is different from typical Brazilian forwards. When you think about these, you think about dribbles and flashy moves. My football is simpler and more direct. It's more like a midfielder playing up front. I like to pass quickly. I don't hog the ball and I don't tend to run with it."^[21]

The media have often drawn comparisons between Piazón and Brazilian playmaker Kaká, as the pair possess similar attributes and natural technical finesse. Piazón also somewhat resembles Kaká. However, Piazón has rejected comparisons saying: "I don't think [we are similar]", Piazón says of Kaká. "My style and his style are different because I am a winger, or a second sriker, and he is a central midfielder. He went on saying: "I don't think the comparison is because of our style. I think it is because we both played at São Paulo and maybe we can look similar on the pitch sometimes."^[22][23]

Career statistics[link]

¹Also includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield.

Statistics accurate as of 05 February 2012

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Chelsea Youth

• FA Youth Cup: 2011–12

References[link]

External links[link]

• Lucas Piazón profile at the Chelsea website
• Soccerway Profile
• Footballzz profile
• Sky Sports profile