Will Chelsea’s own ‘Little Messi’ end their Club World Cup hopes?

Estevao Willian of Palmeiras will either play his final game against his former team on Friday or send Chelsea off to join his future employers for the Club World Cup.

The 18-year-old’s date with destiny comes after Chelsea paid an initial sum of $ 29.1 million for the Brazilian sensation last summer, with an additional $ 29.7 million due as add-ons, before allowing him to stay at his current club for another year.

Before joining Chelsea, the Blues also agreed to let Estevao play for the Sao Paolo outfit in the Club World Cup after defeating rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.

That left the possibility that Chelsea and Estevao could face off before he signed for the club, which will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia when the two teams meet in the quarter-finals.

Abel Ferreira, the manager of the Palmeiras, whose side won the Copa Libertadores in 2021 to qualify for the tournament, said, “I hope he gives his best for the owners of Chelsea to see all the potential and quality he has.”

He will have an opportunity to demonstrate his level of skill. We anticipate his best, the best of his ability, an attack, defending, and announcing our fans’ goodbyes.

We encouraged him to develop both professionally and personally. In a fantastic game, it might be a good time to bid him adieu.

Maresca, the manager of Chelsea, said he has not spoken to Estevao and that despite meeting the player’s family, he has not yet had a conversation with him.

When this competition is over, Maresca said, “We can talk about the future.”

Estevao will be out to show his skills to a new group of Chelsea supporters on July 4 as the country prepares to observe its new Independence Day in a stadium that is expected to be crowded with almost 70 000 people.

Everyone in the negotiations knew this could occur, added Ferreira, adding that “we, him and the club.”

He will demonstrate his commitment to us. However, he is free to begin a new club once he accomplishes that.

Estevao only needs to give his best while he is with us, I promise. Because the agreements are complete, he won’t have to worry about anything. Because those agreements are already signed, he just needs to concentrate on helping us and playing well for Palmeiras.

Prior to the match, Palmeiras attempted to calm the noise around a young player who was increasingly in the limelight for one of the Brazilian club’s biggest matches in recent years. Estevao did not contact the media before the game.

However, Estevao, the young team-mate, was described as “a very respectful child” by striker Jose Manuel Lopez.

He has contributed to our team’s success by winning several titles with us, and he has also become significant to our team. Everyone is aware of what he can offer on the field.

Estevao, a midfielder, said: “He is a great player and friend. During training, there is a relaxation and we always make jokes. This, in my opinion, makes the atmosphere less opulent.

Estevao broke Neymar’s record of 12 goals and eight assists in a single season in Brazil’s Serie A last season, breaking the previous record set by him by scoring 12 times and adding eight assists. He also broke the previous record set by him under the age of 18.

Estevao has 11 goals and 5 assists in all 36 matches played during the new season in South America, which started in February.

He has twice won the Club World Cup’s Superior Player of the Match awards, and he has, fittingly, impressed against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, where he was previously dubbed “Little Messi” in Brazil.

Estevao’s performances have sparked apprehension among senior officials. In addition, a well-known player who works with Brazilian players claimed that Estevao is more talented than even Vitor Reis and Endrick from Manchester City or Real Madrid’s teenage forward.

However, it is also acknowledged that he will need to be eased in at first while learning English football.

Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, and new signings Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Jamie Gittens will all play for a star-studded attack at Stamford Bridge.

In fact, Joao Pedro is the 18th player to join Chelsea from their previous owners in just over three years.

Chelsea’s new £55 million signing, who signed from Brighton, will be eager to see his new signing for £55 million. The 23-year-old he striker signed from Brighton and trained with his new squad at Barry University in Miami.

This implies that Joao Pedro will at least be paired with the bench for the quarter-final. We’re happy with Joao, said Maresca, and we’ll check if we’ll give him some time.

The Blues will have 17 forward players on their books once Gittens agrees to join the organization after winning the tournament and leaves Borussia Dortmund.

No player is being forced out initially to make his arrival, but his ability to play either as a right-winger or number 10 is anticipated to put Madueke’s position in the longer run in the hands of players.