<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/chelsea">Chelsea</a>‘s latest signing, <strong>Estevao Willian</strong>, <strong>has been lauded by former Brazilian World Cup winner Branco as the best Brazilian player to emerge since Neymar</strong>. Branco’s comments followed the completion of Willian’s reported £29 million transfer (with potential add-ons reaching £54 million) from Palmeiras.</p>



<p>Under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership, <strong>Chelsea has increasingly targeted South American talent.</strong> They’ve already signed Kendry Paéz, Andrey Santos, Ângelo Gabriel, and Deivid Washington from the region, and Willian’s arrival continues this trend.</p>



<p>The 17-year-old Willian, who completed his medical last Friday, <strong>is expected to join Chelsea pending official confirmation</strong>. He’s earned the nickname <em>“Messinho”</em> due to his resemblance in style to Lionel Messi. While still developing, Willian’s potential is undeniable.</p>



<h2>Branco’s high praise</h2>



<p>Branco, a former World Cup winner and the official youth coordinator for Brazilian football, offered strong praise: <em>“Estevao, for me, with all due respect to the others… <strong>since Neymar, he is the best Brazilian-born player I’ve seen</strong>. It’s my opinion, you’ve seen him close, you know. This is Brazil, they’re all spectacular, but this boy, his ceiling is a bit higher.”</em></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="630" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/05111922/BRANCO-1200x630.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-542693" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div></figure>



<p>Willian joined Cruzeiro’s youth academy in 2017, securing a Nike sponsorship deal at age 10. <strong>His move to Palmeiras in 2021 followed, and he continued to impress, notably winning the Campeonato Brasileiro Sub-17</strong>. </p>



<p><strong>He holds an impressive record of 21 goals and assists before turning 18</strong>, exceeding the tallies of Neymar (16), Rodrygo (12), Endrick (11), and Gabriel Barbosa (8) at the same age.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrids-ancelotti-makes-final-decision-after-mbappes-missed-penalties/" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.worldsoccertalk.com%2Fwebp%2Ffull%2FWST_20241205_WST_542656_Kylian.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Kylian Mbappé&apos;s penalty miss against Athletic Club adds to his recent struggles.  The Real Madrid forward&apos;s unconvincing performances have increased pressure on the team and manager Carlo Ancelotti.
" title="Real Madrid&apos;s Ancelotti makes final decision after Mbappé&apos;s missed penalties" publication_id="WST#/news/real-madrids-ancelotti-makes-final-decision-after-mbappes-missed-penalties/"></div>


<p>Estevao Willian’s arrival at Chelsea signals the club’s ambitious strategy to invest in young, promising talent. With high praise from a figure like Branco, expectations are soaring, and <strong>Willian will be eager to prove himself in one of Europe’s top leagues.</strong></p>


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A FIFA World Cup champion claims Estevao is the best Brazilian player since Neymar, continues to break records

A FIFA World Cup champion claims Estevao is the best Brazilian player since Neymar, continues to break records - World Soccer Talk

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<p>Chelsea recently reached a verbal agreement with Brazilian giants Palmeiras, with the English side set to pay $71 million for starlet Estêvão. Estêvão, who turned 17 just a month ago, has been heralded as one of the best talents in the world.</p>



<p>The deal includes an initial $37 million transfer fee along with roughly $34 million in add-ons. Not only will it be <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/palmeiras-tv-schedule-for-viewers-in-united-states/">Palmeiras</a>‘ most lucrative transfer ever, but his transfer is the most expensive ever for anyone under 18 years old. </p>



<p>Estêvão won’t turn 18 until next April, so he won’t be eligible to join Chelsea until April 2025. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea’s</a> swoop follows similar moves for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-splash-22-million-for-teen-prospect-says-report-20230503-WST-431524.html">Kendry Paez</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/chelsea-signs-brazilian-teenager-that-could-feature-in-us-tour-20230717-WST-443803.html">Ângelo</a>, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/chelsea-face-andrey-santos-decision-082001740.html">Andrey Santos</a>, and more. The urgency of the deal follows a failed coup for Endrick. Chelsea beat out Barça, Arsenal, and more for Estêvão’s services.</p>



<p>“Man, I’m really happy. I think they are watching because of what I’m doing with Palmeiras,” he told <a href="https://www.90min.com/estevao-sends-message-chelsea-scouting-trip">ESPN</a> after a win in the Copa Libertadores.</p>



<p>“Today, my mind is 100% Palmeiras, and I’m trying to help Palmeiras as much as possible on the pitch. [Chelsea’s interest] is a consequence of that. God willing, he’s blessing me.”</p>



<p>As part of their <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4646937/2023/06/29/chelsea-2030-academy-project/">Vision 2030 project</a>, Chelsea has prioritized buying out young, promising talent over already-made stars, focusing on South American talents. </p>



<h2>Estêvão has exciting future</h2>



<p>Estêvão is one of the best players in Brazil, if not in South America. The Palmeiras right winger dominated the Copinha, the national U-20 club tournament, scoring four goals and adding two assists in five appearances.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/16042044/Chelsea-Este%CC%82va%CC%83o-1-1200x670-500x310.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-507540"></figure></div></figure>



<p>He’s helped Palmeiras to a Paulistão championship while putting in solid performances in the Copa Libertadores and the Serie A. Scouts frequently compare him to Lionel Messi thanks to his agility, dribbling, and creativity. His unique ability to beat his man on the wing and create shots for others has marked him as one of one.</p>



<p>Estêvão leads an exciting Palmeiras squad favored to <a href="https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/articles-video/the-goal-of-the-week-in-the-libertadores-from-every-angle-2024-05-17">win the Copa Libertadores </a>this year. They are looking to make another deep run and contend for their first Libertadores trophy since 2021. The São Paulo side is currently ninth in the Brasileiro.</p>



<h2>Chelsea faces tense times</h2>



<p>Despite an incredible comeback that saw them ascend from a mid-table spot to vying for European competition, Chelsea still faces a period of chaos without any promise of stopping. </p>



<p>They look sure to secure a top-six spot — they only need a draw at home against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bournemouth-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Bournemouth</a>. The FA Cup final will <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/news/3999885">determine</a> whether they qualify for the Europa League or Conference League. Regardless, this season has been a period of ups and downs. From overspending and massive losses to top-tier opposition to thrilling rivalry victories, Chelsea has a lot to look back at.</p>



<p>“We were talking this morning as a staff – it’s not enough for us,” Mauricio Pochettino <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/may/17/mauricio-pochettino-admits-wolves-defeat-could-have-cost-him-his-job">told</a> <em>The Guardian</em>. There is still uncertainty over his future as Chelsea manager. “We’re not going to celebrate and take a picture finishing fifth or sixth and Europe. It’s not enough for the club. It’s not enough for the owners, the sporting directors, or the players.”</p>



<p><em>PHOTO CREDITS:</em><strong><em> IMAGO / TheNews2</em></strong>.</p>


Chelsea agree $71 million deal for starlet Estêvão

Chelsea are set to close out a deal for Brazil U17 star Estêvão. The fee is a record for Brazilian giants Palmeiras.

Chelsea agree $71 million deal for starlet Estêvão - World Soccer Talk

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A FIFA World Cup champion claims Estevao is the best Brazilian player since Neymar, continues to break records

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Chelsea agree $71 million deal for starlet Estêvão