It won’t be too long before Estevao Willian is in a Chelsea shirt for the first time.
Chelsea confirmed nearly a year ago that Estevao Willian would be joining them from Palmeiras in the 2025 summer transfer window.
The 18-year-old attacker will represent Palmeiras at this summer’s Club World Cup tournament, which will be his final set of appearances for them.
Chelsea’s plans with Estevao have always been to integrate him into their first-team squad during the 2025/26 season.
Even though the teenager is moving to European football for the first time in his career, he will be arriving with such a huge reputation as a potential superstar in the making. Brazilian media have compared Estevao to Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old Barcelona sensation.
Jason Cundy suggests patience is needed with Estevao Willian
Jason Cundy has predicted that incoming Chelsea youngster Estevao may not break into the team’s starting line-up straight away next season.
When discussing Estevao’s possible impact, Cundy told talkSPORT: “It’s the Premier League. It is a different league. It’s demanding in other ways that other leagues aren’t. He (Estevao) might take a bit of time to get that starting berth.
“Eventually, and I’ve seen the same clips as you, if he does develop physically and [grows] into the young man we hope and think he will, I think there will be a time when he’s an absolute must. First game of [next] season, not convinced yet.”
Chelsea are extremely excited about Estevao’s arrival, especially because they can’t wait to see the rising star link up with the likes of Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo in the same XI.
If the Brazilian teenager is to break into the starting line-up next season, he will have to edge past some high-profile names.
Even though Estevao can play anywhere across the forward line, we particularly like him on the right wing, cutting infield onto his stronger left foot. If Chelsea agree, that would put him in direct competition with the likes of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke next year.
Estevao Willian is arriving with serious pedigree
It’s fair to point out that Estevao is unlike most teenagers in the world of football.
For starters, the technical teenager already has four senior international caps for South American giants Brazil. It was great to see him included in Carlo Ancelotti’s first-ever Brazil squad, too.
On top of that, Estevao will be coming to Chelsea with some superb club-level experience on his CV.
In 77 first-team games for Palmeiras, he’s scored 26 goals and created 15 assists. Estevao has handled the pressure of being a key figure at a giant club, so it should be a useful experience for him when he comes to West London.
Andrey Santos described Estevao as a “world-class” player, so we can’t wait to see if he’s ready for the Premier League from day one.
