There will be plenty of eyes - particularly from a Chelsea perspective - on Estevao Willian in the United States this summer. The incoming Blues winger will be playing in the FIFA Club World Cup, but not for his new employers.
Chelsea agreed a deal with Palmeiras over 12 months ago for Estevao to move to Stamford Bridge this summer, although part of the agreement was for the teenager to represent the Brazilians in the upcoming Club World Cup. An initial fee of £29million was paid to Palmeiras with add-ons potentially increasing the overall price to £52million, football.london understands.
The 18-year-old is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football at the moment, with many dubbing him the 'next Neymar', and Chelsea have enormous plans for him. There will be a settling in period in England, there is no doubt about that, given his age and moving to a different continent with a very different culture. Not to mention the actual football.
A natural right winger, there will be stern competition for Estevao to break into the Chelsea first team. Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, who have both played on the left this season, are viewed as natural right-sided options. While neither of them have set the world alight this term, their experience and knowhow might well see them preferred to Estevao at the beginning of next season.
For Estevao, the Club World Cup is a fantastic opportunity to show what he is all about. Many are aware of his talent already, but to do it on a stage where the whole world will be watching is a different ball game. Given his meteoric rise already, though, you would not put anything past this young lad.
Palmeiras are in Group A alongside Porto, Al Ahly and Inter Miami, so on paper there is a very realistic opportunity for the Brazilians to progress into the knockout stage. Anxious to get going at Chelsea, this is a real opportunity for Estevao to show Enzo Maresca he has all the tools to help the Blues next season.
"All the time, I'm very anxious to go," Estevao said on his move to Chelsea in March. And the truth is, Chelsea supporters are anxious for him to come. It has been way over 12 months that many of them would have heard his name for the first time. The YouTube compilations followed and they paint Estevao to be a tremendously gifted footballer.
Estevao's Brazilian compatriot Andrey Santos will also be playing in the Club World Cup, but the midfielder will be doing it in a Chelsea shirt unlike his friend. The 21-year-old midfielder will be given the opportunity to impress Maresca this summer in the US as he looks to win over the head coach ahead of next season.
football.london understands no decision has been made just yet on where Santos will be plying his trade next term, but the club were extremely impressed with what he did for Strasbourg last season. During his spell on loan with the BlueCo-owned French club, Santos scored 11 goals and provided five assists in all competitions; earning himself a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season.
However, like Estevao, there will be a difficult battle for a place in the side for Santos. Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and new signing Dario Essugo will be fighting it out for spaces in the XI next season. For the two Brazilians, this summer could not be any more significant.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Club World Cup on DAZN
Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN
The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG andBayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13.
Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN.