Brazilian legend Ronaldo has likened future Chelsea star Estevao Willian to Lamine Yamal and believes he will soon be a very big star in football.
Chelsea agreed a deal worth up to £51.4m in the summer with Palmeiras for the 17-year-old, who will join the Blues after the Club World Cup in 2025.
The teenager is regarded as the biggest talent in South America and a potential global star, with the Blues delighted to have secured his signing.
Ronaldo likens Estevao to Yamal
Estevao is already a full Brazil international despite his tender years and said last month he wants to become the most successful Brazilian player in Chelsea’s history.
The attacker has been creating history in Brazil and he became the first player under 18 to register 20 goal contributions in a single Brazilian league season.
Estevao is a regular for Palmeiras and has 13 goals and nine assists in 30 league appearances this season, and is the go to man in the team despite being just 17.
Estevao Willian playing for Palmeiras in Brazil. (Photo by Heuler Andrey/Getty Images)
Estevao is regarded as the biggest talent in South America. (Photo by Heuler Andrey/Getty Images)
There’s a lot of excitement surrounding Estevao’s arrival at Chelsea and it’s expected he will go straight into the first team squad and fight for his place.
Ronaldo, who has won the World Cup twice with Brazil believes the Blues have got a really exciting talent on their hands.
“He’s a young player and very talented,” he told GIVEMESPORT.
“He’s kind of like Lamine Yamal. He will soon be a very big star in football. He’s very promising, and at just 17. I think he’ll play for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup, then join Chelsea.”
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Enzo Maresca sits impassively as Chelsea thrash Southampton.
Chris Sutton working as a pundit for the BBC. (Photo: Richard Sellerrs/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty))
Enzo Maresca shouts instructions on the touchline. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
It’s glowing praise from a player like Ronaldo, with Estevao regarded as the most exciting talent to come out of Brazil since Neymar.
It’s important Chelsea don’t put pressure on Estevao and there’s no need to rush him into the first team, but if the Blues can provide an environment in which the teenager can thrive in and support him, then they do have a genuine future star on their hands.