Incoming Chelsea star Estevao Willian has told Enzo Maresca where he wants to play at Stamford Bridge. The Blues paid an initial £34million to sign the Brazilian wonderkid from Palmeiras earlier this year, with the deal set to go through next summer.
Estevao has been impressing with his club while he waits to join Chelsea after he turns 18 in April 2025. The forward is hoping to make an immediate impact when he arrives in West London.
He has now told Maresca his best position, revealing that he has enjoyed a recent switch out wide. Estevao had previously been a No. 10 but has been shifted to the wings to utilise his dribbling ability.
“I’ve always been a No. 10 and I went to the wing to have one-on-ones,” Estevao said in an interview with former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva on ESPN Brazil.
“Of course I respect Abel (Ferreira)’s decision, I know that I’ve enjoyed being on the wing more, but who knows, in the future I’ll play where I feel more comfortable, which is inside.”
The 17-year-old has already decided which shirt number he wants to take at Chelsea. He has donned No. 41 since his breakthrough at Palmeiras and would be willing to carry the number into his Blues career.
“I don’t have a preference, but I really like 41. If they have 41, it will be cool too.”
Fortunately for Estevao, No. 41 has been available at Chelsea since Ola Aina’s departure in 2019. It is likely that he will play for Palmeiras until after the Club World Cup next summer before joining his new team-mates for pre-season next summer.
Estevao’s short-term future beyond that point is unclear. Maresca has an abundance of attacking quality in his squad. The teenager may therefore benefit from heading out on loan for the 2025-26 campaign before returning to fight for a place in Chelsea’s first-team.
Estevao finished as the third-highest scorer in the Brazilian Serie A with 13 goals. He scored 19 across all competitions and provided 12 assists in 50 appearances.
A successful campaign culminated with him being named the Breakthrough Player and Best Striker in the end-of-season awards. Brazilian icon Ronaldo compared him with Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal, telling Give Me Sport: “He’s a young player and very talented. 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.”