90min
·10 décembre 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·10 décembre 2024
Estevao Willian has revealed he already speaks to some of his new Chelsea teammates ahead of making the switch from Palmeiras next year.
Estevao is the latest teen sensation to light up Brazilian football, following in the footsteps of former club-mate Endrick, now with Real Madrid.
The winger, who broke Neymar's Brasileirao record for the most goal involvements by a player aged 17 or younger in October, has already agreed to join Chelsea in a deal that will start at £29m and could climb as high as £52m if various add-ons are triggered. But international transfer rules mean he cannot, as a minor, actually move until after he turns 18 in April.
With the 2024 Brazilian season over, Estevao is expected to travel to London to visit his next club this winter. But in meeting the Blues squad, not everyone will be a brand-new acquaintance.
Estevao is already in touch wih Cole Palmer / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/GettyImages
"There are Chelsea agents here in Brazil who speak to you, [Cole] Palmer speaks to me on Instagram. There's [Reece] James who said that if I needed anything I should speak to him," Estevao revealed to ESPN.
He's also been told excellent things about Chelsea by a former player, having chatted with ex-Blues captain Thiago Silva, now with Fluminense, on the final day of the season over the weekend.
"Thiago Silva spoke to me in that last game. He said that the club is top and they are waiting for me with open arms," Estevao explained.
"I'm learning English, it's hard, it's a good technique [to watch films without subtitles], music... I haven't visited Chelsea yet, but if I have the opportunity, now on vacation, I'll get to know the structure."