Chelsea-bound Estevao Willian has been hailed as the "best thing to come out of Brazil since Neymar".

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• Julio Baptista hailed Estevao
• Confident he will shine in the Premier League
• Will move to Chelsea after turning 18 in the summer

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 17-year-old, who is commonly known by his nickname "Messinho", is set to finalise his high-profile move to Stamford Bridge once he turns 18. Despite strong competition from European heavyweights, including Barcelona, it was Chelsea who ultimately secured Estevao’s services. The Premier League giants struck a deal with Palmeiras worth £56 million ($71 million) last summer, ensuring they landed one of the most promising talents in South America.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Estevao’s explosive pace, precise footwork, and intelligent playmaking have drawn comparisons to Brazil’s former golden boy Neymar, and it's easy to see why. His composure in the final third and ability to influence games consistently at such a young age have set him apart from his peers.

• WHAT BAPTISTA SAID

  Among the growing list of Estevao’s admirers is former Brazil international Julio Baptista. In an interview with footitalia.com, he said: "Estevao could be the best thing to come out of Brazil since Neymar. The way he makes decisions in small moments in the match, it’s amazing. He has incredible quality, and I can’t wait to see him in the Premier League. It will be hard, but at Chelsea, I have a friend there, Enzo Maresca. Chelsea has one of the youngest teams in Europe, and he’s working with them so well. I think Estevao can succeed at Chelsea, he has the chance to do something huge with his incredible talent."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  During the 2024 campaign, Estevao lit up the Brazilian top flight with a string of eye-catching performances. In 31 appearances, the young forward found the back of the net 13 times and provided nine assists, playing a crucial role in Palmeiras' push for the title as the club eventually secured a second-place finish behind league leaders Botafogo.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News