Chelsea have announced the signing of a highly-rated Brazilian winger Estevao Willian from Palmeiras. The Blues won the race to sign the 17-year-old beating interest from FC Barcelona to secure his signature.
Let us take a closer look at his football journey so far ahead of his big-money move to the English capital.
Early Life
Estevao Willian was born on April 24th, 2004 in Franca, Brazil. He dreamed of becoming a professional football player at a very young age. In 2017, he joined Cruzeiro Academy where he made a name for himself with his outstanding performances.
He was known to play against footballers who were 3-4 years older than him at Cruzeiro. He earned the nickname “Messinho” after similarities in his game with Lionel Messi.
At just 10, Willian signed a professional contract with Nike, surpassing Rodrygo to become the youngest Brazilian to secure a deal with the brand.
Early career
In May 2021, Willian joined Palmeiras academy. He wasted no time to mark his stamp on the team becoming one of the most important players in the academy.
In the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17 final, Willian scored a hattrick to give Palmeiras a 3-0 victory over Sao Paulo. With this performance, he announced his name in Brazilian football and was tipped to follow the footsteps of another Brazilian icon Neymar Jr.
Willian made his debut at Palmeiras in December 2023 when he was 16 years old which made him the fourth youngest player to play for the club. Since his debut, he established himself as one of the regulars in the team. He scored his first goal in a Copa Libertadores group match against Liverpool.
Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira was full of praise for Willian and regarded him as one of the most unique players he has ever seen. “Trust me, this boy is something different. Estevao is just something I’ve never seen in my career” Ferreira said.
Style of play
Estevao Willian is known for his dribbling skills and ability to run with the ball. His balance and willingness to take on defenders often create problems for the opposition players. The 17-year-old’s decision-making and the final product often separate him from the rest of the youngsters. He is also praised for his maturity and reading of the game.
Although being a left-footer, he has an immaculate right foot and is easily able to adjust his body to release shots from both feet.
His flair, trickery, and ball-receiving ability while turning the defenders have drawn comparisons with Chelsea legend Eden Hazard. His physicality and endurance will also come in handy in high-intensity football of the Premier League.
Estevao Willian Contract At Chelsea
The Blues confirmed the signing of Estevao Willian on 22 June 2024 from Palmeiras in a 7-year deal that is reportedly worth £56m ($71m) which would also include his performance-linked bonuses. However, he will spend one more year at Palmeiras and will join Chelsea in the summer of 2025 when he will be 18 years old.
Honours
Palmeiras
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2023
- Campeonato Paulista: 2024
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
