Chelsea signing shines in Club World Cup opener | OneFootball

Estevao Willian was named man of the match as Palmeiras opened their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against FC Porto.

The teenager will link up with Chelsea at the conclusion of the tournament, after the West Londoners agreed a £44m deal to sign the winger last summer.

Despite a failure to find a breakthrough against Porto, Estevao was named as the game’s standout player. The draw leaves Group A perfectly poised after the opening round of fixtures, with Inter Miami against Al Ahly also ending goalless.

Estevao is aiming to enhance his rapidly growing reputation at this summer’s tournament. The 18-year-old was named winner of the The Bola de Ouro in 2024, awarded to the player deemed the best in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

He made his senior debut for Brazil earlier this month, starting Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge of the Selecao.

After leaving Palmeiras for West London after the Club World Cup, Estevao will hope to break into Enzo Maresca’s plans. Jadon Sancho’s return to Manchester United and Mykhailo Mudryk’s suspension has opened up a place in the squad next season.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca discussed Estevao’s progress this week and said the club are ‘happy’ to see the teenager thriving.

“I’m not thinking about it. Now if Estevao is doing well, we are happy. But in this moment he’s doing well for another team. Hopefully he can do well for us when he joins.”

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