Legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti is currently working with Brazil’s national team for the first time, which includes Chelsea youngsters Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos.
Carlo Ancelotti, 65, left Real Madrid in the summer after four years and immediately stepped into his position as Brazil’s new head coach. Incidentally, it’s his first role as a senior international boss after such a long and successful managerial club career, which included a spell at Chelsea between 2009 and 2011.
Ancelotti’s first matches in charge of Brazil are tricky World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay in June.
In his first-ever Brazil squad, Chelsea duo Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos both made the cut.
Estevao, 18, is an exciting rising star who will officially join up with the Blues after playing for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup. The teenage attacker has four senior international caps under his belt already, but he’s still waiting to make his first start for the South American giants.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old talent Santos is back in Brazil’s squad for the first time since 2023, which is when he earned his one and only senior cap. Without a doubt, the midfielder deserved his call up after an outstanding individual season on loan with Strasbourg.
Chelsea plan to use Santos at the Club World Cup, where hopefully he can force his way into Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans.
Carlo Ancelotti hints at Brazil starts for Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos
Brazilian publication Globo reports that Ancelotti led a training session on Tuesday consisting of Brazil’s entire squad as they prepare for this week’s match against Ecuador.
It is explained that the experienced coach may have given a clue about the starting team for the World Cup qualifier.
The report shares that Ancelotti handed out vests and the individuals without them have an outline of a potential side. The team had 11 outfield players and included Vanderson, Danilo, Marquinhos, Alexsandro and Alex Sandro; Casemiro, Andreas Pereira, Andrey Santos, Estevao Willian; Vinicius Jr and Richarlison.
If you drop one of the aforementioned defenders, it leaves an exciting 4-3-3 on paper.
It would be some statement if Chelsea duo Estevao and Santos both feature in Ancelotti’s first Brazil match, especially in an important qualifying match. Perhaps rival fans will realise that the Blues are about to add two exceptional young talents to their squad for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Chelsea chiefs are super excited about Estevao, especially to see the winger join up with some first-team stars at Stamford Bridge.
Also, Blues co-owner Todd Boehly shared his excitement about Santos and the midfielder’s addition to the Chelsea group.
What Andrey Santos recently said about Estevao Willian
It’s an added bonus that Santos and Estevao have this international camp together with Brazil before they soon link up in West London. We’d be very surprised if the youngsters aren’t already discussing Chelsea.
Back in March 2025, Santos raved about future Chelsea teammate Estevao. He said: “Estevao is a top-quality player, world-class.”
Realistically, we think both can arrive at Stamford Bridge next season and make a positive impact from day one.
The adaption period may be a bit tricker for Estevao because the young talent is moving to Europe, but he appears to take everything in his stride with such ease. It will be great to add the skilful winger to the collection of wide players at the club.
As for Santos, the complete midfielder returns from a brilliant loan spell a much more rounded player and someone who’s ready to push for a starting role.
