The anticipation of Estevao Willian’s arrival at Chelsea for the new season feels massive. How will the Brazilian wonderkid cope with the extra attention and pressure, though?
Over a year ago, Chelsea confirmed that Estevao Willian would be joining from Palmeiras in the 2025 summer window.
Chelsea Football Club has agreed a deal to sign teenage forward Estevao Willian from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian to officially join Chelsea next summer. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/SHLVRaD4gi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) June 22, 2024
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The 18-year-old attacker has been lighting up the Brazilian league in the last couple of years, but now he will take the major leap to tackle the Premier League.
AppearancesGoalsAssists832715Estevao Willian’s record in the Palmeiras first team
Estevao meets up with Chelsea’s squad on 4 August for the very first time when the club’s pre-season gets underway. Let’s wait and see if he makes his unofficial debut for the Blues in either of their friendly matches against Bayer Leverkusen (8 August) or AC Milan (10 August).
Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty ImagesEstevao Willian likely to be eased in at Chelsea
According to BBC Sport, the expectation is that Estevao will be initially eased into life at Chelsea as he adjusts to a new home.
It is added that the Brazil international could quickly break into the starting XI if he impresses on the training pitches at Cobham, though.
The report adds that Estevao has been taking English lessons since the start of 2025 in preparation for his move to London, where he will play European football for the first time.
At the Club World Cup, Estevao played against Chelsea in what turned out to be his final match for Palmeiras, scoring in a 2-1 defeat. He certainly helped to raise the excitement around him with the way he handled himself against the Blues.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca described Estevao as “fantastic” after his performance against his side, adding that he will need time to adapt when he arrives for the 2025/26 season.
Similarly, Jason Cundy has urged for patience with Estevao because it’s a considerable step for the teenager.
Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty ImagesEstevao Willian may need to overtake Pedro Neto
With Noni Madueke sold to Arsenal this window, Chelsea could start the new season with Estevao and Pedro Neto as their main options to start on the right wing.
Last term, Neto, 24, had a pretty solid debut season with the Blues, scoring nine goals and creating nine assists across all competitions. While he showed his versatility to play anywhere across the frontline, we prefer him cutting infield onto his stronger left foot from the right wing.
On paper, Neto and Estevao could fight it out to start on the right of the front three.
Even though Chelsea believe they’ve hit the jackpot with Estevao, it might not be so easy to break into the starting XI from day one.