Chelsea resisted spending big on a winger in the January transfer window - and there might be a good reason why.
The Blues quietly beat off competition from a host of Premier League rivals when they secured a £29m plus add-ons deal for Brazilian whizz kid Estêvão Willian last summer. Estêvão, 17, is due to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer after spending another year at Palmeiras who believe they have got a generational talent on their hands.
It may be more about the future rather than immediate results, but you can expect to hear a lot more about Estêvão than when he initially signed almost under the radar. The Premier League big guns - including the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United - all scouted him but Chelsea got the deal done.
And that is perhaps what helped shape Chelsea’s thinking in the winter market as they were interested in United’s Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho but ultimately did not pursue it.
They are also set to be without winger Mykhailo Mudryk who insists he will clear his name despite registering a positive drugs test. They loaned Joao Felix to AC Milan and, by their standards, Chelsea were quiet in the window but it is because they believe in a new wave of young talent coming through.
At the heart of that is Estêvão - who does not even turn 18 until April 24 - who has already won four senior caps for Brazil. In Brazil, many believe Estêvão could end up being even better than Real Madrid superstar Endrick who left Palmeiras for the Spanish giants in 2024 for around twice the price.
Estêvão is left-footed, plays largely on the right for Palmeiras but in his youth career he played inside and also centrally. He is well known for his dribbling in small spaces and for having a very precocious attitude but is mature because he has developed so fast.
Estêvão was regarded as Palmeiras’ best player last year taking his club to second place and he was among the top scorers in the league without being a centre forward. He won awards for Brazil’s Breakthrough Player and Best Striker.
Without him, many in Brazil feel Palmeiras would have finished fifth such was his importance to the team. The biggest drawback is his physicality as he is very skinny and incredibly young to switch to a different culture.
But Estêvão has revealed he spoke to Thiago Silva before making the switch and has exchanged messages with Cole Palmer and Reece James on social media. Chelsea were able to sell him a vision of a club which embraces young players and a manager who wants to give youth a chance.
It remains to be seen whether Estêvão can go straight in from next season but Chelsea are building a squad full of potential. And at the heart of that process is a foray into South America which they believe will bring rich rewards in the long term.
yizabceknz
0
Good news
Duediksuy
0
what will u say about David Luis, willian, deco, Alex that used to play centre back for chelsea ? ur thought and analysis are poor man
You forgot to add Oscar and Ramirez🥰
yung87
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Pato was loan
and also Kennedy? I hope you remember him? All the same if 10 Brazilian players have signed for Chelsea, only 2 players can be considered as flops. So your assertion is true for Brazilians who had/have signed for Chelsea
Tobaemstz
1
Brazilian hardly make it in EPL, Chelsea will sell him tomorrow Loan with option to buy
what will u say about David Luis, willian, deco, Alex that used to play centre back for chelsea ? ur thought and analysis are poor man
akpchoichinho001
2
I wish we were being coached by poch ... I am pretty sure kudus would have been a Chelsea player by now and also gotten a better striker to compete with Nico
jadacdint
3
there're many raw talents at Chelsea,but am afraid Maresca isn't the correct dude for them.
VIKINGSB
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If Man United went for him, the whole universe, planets and satellite will carry it.
You don't have anything to say
VIKINGSB
0
If Man United went for him, the whole universe, planets and satellite will carry it.
You have anything to say
yueaeklny
0
my fear is that Brazilians don't make it really in epl, I hope he will make me think twice
Aside the Chelsea players mentioned, Alison Becker, Ederson, Fabinho, Meghales, Coutinho of Liverpool, Murillo, Fernandinho, Gilberto Silva, have all performed in the premier league
yueaeklny
0
really, what about Pato?
Pato was loan
yasbeiknop
1
this boy is good but the coach tactics is not good so he should sack
KehindeSeun
1
Young players don’t last anymore in Chelsea fc…check all the 23 young players they have bought for two years now non is doing well…maybe coach fault though..they have all been sent out on loan
what about palmer,noni,enzo.caicedo,gusto, Jackson,etc are they 35 years of age because they are still playing for Chelsea and they are doing well respectively in that same club.dont you think before you talk did you just open mouth to talk nonsense all the time
Emchi
2
If Man United went for him, the whole universe, planets and satellite will carry it.
yung87
0
The once’s Chelsea sign always make it bro, David Luis, Ramires, Oscar, Williams call them they all did well so wish him well man
really, what about Pato?
Kattyranking
2
if arsenal xo called Fabio was as talented as a single foot of estavao ,he would have been playing for gunners first eleven,this is the best talent that came out of Brazil since from Neymar
lolosky_kg
0
my fear is that Brazilians don't make it really in epl, I hope he will make me think twice
Even recently Silva.
Badcilmrsu
1
maresca will still kill his career
AFerwzig0397
0
Exactly they just trying to hype up the price tag I mean we already have fabio Vieira who is far better
Fabio’s personal achievements plsssss???🤣
roebdilmsz
2
my fear is that Brazilians don't make it really in epl, I hope he will make me think twice
The once’s Chelsea sign always make it bro, David Luis, Ramires, Oscar, Williams call them they all did well so wish him well man
KayPhik
1
Brazilian hardly make it in EPL, Chelsea will sell him tomorrow Loan with option to buy
not the ones Chelsea sign
cuhceikouz
1
I never heard Arsenal or Man U wanting that winger 😂😂
Exactly they just trying to hype up the price tag I mean we already have fabio Vieira who is far better
AFerOPlO9499
3
I never heard Arsenal or Man U wanting that winger 😂😂
ciodlmnost
3
he will play they is a closure on his contract saying he must play at least 50 percent of the games at Chelsea no loan option and the boy is good
Cezbceouyz
2
Brazilian hardly make it in EPL, Chelsea will sell him tomorrow Loan with option to buy
Pakabelru
1
Young players don’t last anymore in Chelsea fc…check all the 23 young players they have bought for two years now non is doing well…maybe coach fault though..they have all been sent out on loan
Vuudnpsuz
0
before you post, you need to know the facts, Chelsea sold them because they told the club that they need to play now or allow them to leave, as with Cole palmer, back then they couldn't make Chelsea's first team, such was the quality of Chelsea's players
good
Dihcdiorsu
2
Chelsea sold young salah and debryne, he will be next
before you post, you need to know the facts, Chelsea sold them because they told the club that they need to play now or allow them to leave, as with Cole palmer, back then they couldn't make Chelsea's first team, such was the quality of Chelsea's players
wimlmpru
0
wont last long.. over hyped player
Kowbcdlns
2
my fear is that Brazilians don't make it really in epl, I hope he will make me think twice
Woailorz
2
Arsenal might have missed out on him I guess.....
Kesadlor
2
Chelsea sold young salah and debryne, he will be next
Bapcdiopsu
3
with this present coach 💀👀