Chelsea youngster Estevao Willian has already put the football world on notice. He has been one of the best young players in Brazil since making the leap to the senior team in 2023 and is continuing to grow his ever burgeoning reputation.
Currently on loan at Palmeiras where he came up as a boy, Estevao will be joining Chelsea this summer after he turns 18 this coming April. In a recent interview on the Denilson show, he spoke about how he is thinking about Chelsea “all the time” and that he is “very anxious to go [to Chelsea]”.
This is a massive move for a teenager and the expectations will be even bigger but he is already trying to get ahead of the curve when it comes to adapting to the Premier League. He has Brazilian friends in other clubs and spoke about how he is checking in with them to help get ahead.
"“They come and talk to me, give me tips. Murillo [Nottingham Forest], Savinho [Manchester City]. I ask them how this is, how that is. These things are important for getting there to have less difficulty in adapting.”"Estevao on his Brazilian buddies in PL
This is encouraging for Chelsea fans as they already have sky high expectations for the youngster that many believe is the best teenager in football behind Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. Estevao hasn’t had the chance to prove himself on the biggest stage like Yamal but he has already impressed for Palmeiras and the Brazilian national team.
Estevao already has 20 goals and 10 assists at the senior level and has made four caps but has yet to record a goal or assist for the senior national team. He is primarily a right winger but has been excited about playing the number 10 role for Chelsea when he arrives. This would give the Blues an immediate backup to Cole Palmer and more flexibility in their lineup selection.
It’s obvious that Estevao has tons of talent but the Blues will have to ensure that he is in the right environment to grow and develop. He will be going through so much change on and off the pitch that the club has to help keep him focused on his game.
Chelsea has a great history of getting the most out of young Brazilian talents with Oscar being the shining example as he joined from Internacional at just 20 years old. Oscar settled in quickly and helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles but only spent four and a half years in London. Hopefully Estevao can be just as successful as Oscar but will stay in London for far longer than his compatriot.