Chelsea sign 'Brazil's next great talent': Estevao transfer transformative

Tom Weber

Updated: 1 Mar 2025 16:07 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea have signed 'Brazil's next great talent' in Estevao, according to former Selecao star Denilson.

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The Palmeiras wonderkid is gearing up for his highly-anticipated move to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea announced the signing of Estevao in summer 2024, shelling out a whopping €61 million to snap up the teenager.

However, he wasn't eligible to link up with Enzo Maresca's squad at the time due to his age. Estevao turns 18 in April and will belatedly arrive in West London in the summer.

READ MORE: Chelsea complete €14m signing

In the meantime, the new Chelsea recruit has been tearing it up in Brazil. He finished the 2024 season with 19 goals and 12 assists in 50 appearances across all competitions. So far this year, he has netted three goals in 10 Campeonato Paulista games.

The 17-year-old has already made four senior appearances for the Brazilian national team and clearly has the world at his feet. Indeed, there is a good case to be made that he is the biggest prospect to come out of Brazil since Vinicius Jr or perhaps even Neymar.

Chelsea sign 'Brazil's next great talent'

Estevao's potential is clear for all to see and former Brazil winger Denilson believes that the teenager could go on to become Brazil's latest footballing legend.

Speaking to AS, the former Real Betis man was asked about 'the next great Brazilian talent' after discussing Real Madrid prospect Endrick and he actually picked Estevao over the Los Blancos striker.

"Endrick will be one of them, but I'm excited about Estevao, who is going to Chelsea. English football has changed and his style will adapt well. He's intelligent, a great dribbler and he can score goals. He's a great signing," Denilson said.

A winger by trade, Estevao is expected to be used as a No.10 by Chelsea and the idea is to keep him around the first team rather than to send him out on loan. He will therefore have to compete with Cole Palmer for a starting spot and will need to show all of his talents to get regular minutes.