“What amazes everyone” – Head of Palmeiras academy shares fascinating insight on Estevao Willian

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the Chelsea News

·15 giugno 2025

“What amazes everyone” – Head of Palmeiras academy shares fascinating insight on Estevao Willian

New Chelsea star Estevao Willian is the best Brazilian player since Neymar according to the head of Palmeiras’ academy, Joao Paulo Sampaio.

The Blues agree a deal for Estevao with Palmeiras last summer worth up to £51.4m for the precious teenager, and he will officially join after the Club World Cup.

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The signing of Estevao sees a continuation of Chelsea targeting the South American market under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership.

Estevao the best Brazilian player since Neymar

There’s a lot of excitement surrounding the arrival of Estevao who is already a full Brazil international, and the 18-year-old has broken records set by Neymar in the Brazilian League.

Former Chelsea winger Willian has compared Estevao to Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, and Chelsea fans will get an early glimpse of him in action at the Club World Cup.

Estevao has previously spoken of how he’s anxious to get to Chelsea, but it’s really important the Blues provide the right environment for him to flourish in.

Estevao will join Chelsea after the Club World Cup. (Photo by Ricardo Moreira/Getty Images)

Chelsea believe Estevao is a generational talent, and Sampaio believes the attacker is the best player in Brazilian football since Neymar.

“Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar, you watch him and you fall in love,” he told BBC Sport.

“He already impresses with his technique but, like Neymar at this same point in his career, he has not yet matured physically and is not as strong as Endrick, so he could still develop a lot.

“That’s what amazes everyone and makes them think that he will reach a much higher level.”