Real Madrid ‘regret’ decision to allow Chelsea to sign ‘football genius’

Club officials at Chelsea and members of Enzo Maresca’s coaching staff are privately making lofty predictions for summer signing Estevao Willian.

The Blues saw off competition from a number of clubs to sign Estevao in a £29m deal from Palmeiras.

If Estevao activates a number of performance-based targets – which appears likely at this stage – Chelsea will pay a further £21m to the Brazilian club in add-ons.

Already regarded as one of the most exciting young players in world football, Willian – who has 11 international caps before his 19th birthday – has been compared to Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer Neymar.

Estevao has only started seven games for Chelsea, with Enzo Maresca perhaps understandably cautious over the teenager’s game-time, but has shown enough glimpses to excite fans and pundits alike.

According to ESPN Brasil, Estevao has exceeded expectations at Stamford Bridge and convinced club officials and coaches he will become ‘one of the ten best players in the world’ by 2029.

It is claimed Chelsea have been ‘impressed’ by his ‘maturity’, ‘focus’ and ‘discipline’, with Estevao quickly settling into life in west London and absorbing Maresca’s tactical instructions with ease.

Estevao’s promising start at Chelsea has also had repercussions in Spain, with Real Madrid already ‘regretting’ their decision not to pursue the Brazilian.

Los Blancos are said to have ‘analysed’ Estevao during his time at Palmeiras but ultimately decided not to act any further, a decision that they are now questioning.

Estevao scored in both of Brazil’s friendlies during the November international break, taking his overall record to five goals in 11 appearances for his country.

After scoring in Brazil’s 1-1 draw with Tunisia on Tuesday, Estevao was hailed as a ‘football genius’ and a future Ballon d’Or winner.

‘I think Estevao is a new football genius emerging,’ Tunisia boss Sami Trabelsi said.

‘If he manages to have good performances or win titles, with his club or his country, he will be among the players who in the coming years could even compete for the Ballon d’Or.’

See more

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has also heaped praise on Estevao, describing him as ‘exceptional’ and potentially the ‘most enjoyable player to watch’ in the Premier League.

‘Estevao really is exceptional,’ Nevin told BBC Sport. ‘Only a tiny number of players can produce this particular special effect.

‘If you get a chance whether at Stamford Bridge, or while watching a game on TV, close your eyes and listen to the sound of the crowd when Estevao gets the ball in the final third.

‘It is the purified sound of expectation, excitement and support from an entire stadium. Very few can make that happen just by getting the ball.

‌’It is probably best to shut your eyes when watching it back on record as you might just miss yet another incredibly imaginative piece of brilliance from the wonderkid if you try this approach live.

‌’He was at it again for Brazil during the international break. I’d pay to watch him warm up and while he might not be the best player in the Premier League, he may well be the most enjoyable to watch.’

Barring injury or a shocking dip in form, Estevao will be part of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Before that, the Brazilian sensational will hope to help Chelsea enjoy a successful season and win some more silverware following last season’s Conference League win and the Club World Cup triumph over the summer.

Maresca’s side climbed to third in the Premier League before the international break and return to action on Saturday against Burnley.

Chelsea face two huge games after their trip to Turf Moor, first playing Barcelona in the Champions League and then taking on Premier League title favourites and London rivals Arsenal.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments


Add as preferred source