Chelsea's new Brazilian signing Estevao Willian has been likened to Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Abel Ferreira hesitated for a second, insisted he wouldn't say what he had in his mind, but then - in a rare moment of full disclosure when it comes to young talents - he opened up.
Such is the impact the left-footed winger has had this season that Ferreira tried, in vain, to convince the club board not to sell him. That was too late, though.in a deal that could eventually be worth £52m and that will see him arrive at Stamford Bridge after Fifa’s new Club World Cup in July 2025.
"Estevao is the best player to have emerged from Brazilian football since Neymar. You watch him and you fall in love," the head of Palmeiras' academy, Joao Paulo Sampaio, told BBC Sport. He then became the youngest Brazilian footballer to sign a contract with Nike, surpassing Neymar and Rodrygo , and was dubbed 'Messinho' for his ability to change direction and dribble past opponents while running with the ball at speed.
It's not only his left foot that leaves others fascinated, but also the mentality he already possesses. Sampaio recalls an episode that illustrated that. He was still five months away from being able to sign his first senior contract at the age of 16 when Palmeiras, in an unusual move, announced they had agreed the terms of it.
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