Estevão Lights Up Chelsea Clash with Dazzling Display for Palmeiras

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are now one step closer to securing more silverware for the season after beating Palmeiras 2-1 in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals – and Willian Estevao highlights package has given the Blues a glimpse of what to expect from the Brazilian 18-year-old.

Cole Palmer’s 16th-minute strike saw the west Londoners gain an early advantage, and an own goal from Agustin Giay cancelled out Estevao’s goal eight minutes into the second half. Maresca’s men are now set to play Fluminense in the penultimate round. Things are looking bright as they prepare to compete on all fronts in the 2025/26 campaign; Joao Pedro looked bright on his debut, Chelsea’s squad is packed to the brim with talent and Estevao, albeit against his future employers, showed what he is able to produce under pressure.

Commonly admired as one of the best teenagers in world football, there may have been plenty of Chelsea supporters that have not seen him in action – but his 90-minute display has given them a thrilling glimpse of what the future could look like with the Brazilian in the side.

Estevao’s Promising Highlights vs Chelsea Emerge

Set to move to Stamford Bridge this summer after rising through Palmeiras’ academy set-up, Estevao – a five-cap Brazil international – found himself in an unfamiliar position as he looked to knock the Premier League side out of the Stateside showpiece in the early hours of Saturday. Their win aside, those associated with the English outfit are growing in excitement after watching Estevao dance around the Lincoln Financial Field with plenty of guile. The teenager, who stayed in Brazil after Chelsea agreed a £52 million deal, was named the ‘Superior Player of the Match’.

As shown by his highlight reel below, the left-hand side of Chelsea struggled to contain his trickery as he looked to be the Brazilian side’s difference-maker. Marc Cucurella may have put in a strong performance; but the signs of utter brilliance from Estevao are there. For his goal, he picked the ball up in the danger area, slipped past Levi Colwill, and unleashed a powerful effort that bypassed Robert Sanchez, who was in between the sticks. Statistically, he enjoyed 41 touches throughout his 90-minute cameo – eight of which were inside Chelsea’s box.

At full-time, an elated Palmer spoke to the incoming Blues star – but the Englishman, widely regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League, admitted that their conversation was short-lived as the Brazil star struggled to understand English.

Maresca, who managed Chelsea to Europa Conference League success last term, spoke glowingly of the teen sensation in his post-match debrief. “You can see he is a huge talent. You can see he is a fantastic player,” the Italian tactician said, per BBC Sport.