For most, the Club World Cup has been a first real glimpse of Chelsea winger Estevao Willian in a mainstream setting. Albeit at the least mainstream of tournaments, the accessibility for those in the UK is enhanced compared to the late-night Brazilian league viewings before now.
Estevao has often been in action overnight with many waking up to see clips of his latest goal or piece of skill. Boil it down to the numbers and it's easy to see why Chelsea were happy to spend an initial £29million on someone so young.
If Estevao hits the team and individual add-ons then the deal could rise to £51million. If Chelsea end up paying that, then they will surely be only too happy to oblige, given what it will mean they and their player have achieved.
Based on his two Club World Cup outings so far, there is definite potential that the fee becomes something of a bargain. Estevao has been putting up numbers which surpass Neymar domestically at the same age.
In his true breakthrough season, which was started as a 16-year-old, Estevao scored 13 times and assisted nine from 26 starts and 31 total appearances. In 2025, he had been struggling to replicate the same level of output ahead of a much-anticipated summer, but any fears have been quickly eradicated.
It took Estevao a few minutes in Palmeiras' group stage opener against Porto - the first European opponents he has played - to have an impact. Estevao came close with a bending effort from the top of the box with his left-footed effort going narrowly wide.
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He raced into tackles, pressing with intensity, as well as showing some nice touches on his favoured right-side. Drifting infield, where some believe he will go on to spend the majority of his playing career, Estevao provided some driving runs from deep.
Moving across the field he nearly scored from the left, only to be denied by a late tackle. Had it not been for a mixture of a great save, a miscommunication, and a slight scuff, Estevao would have had a goal later in the half anyway.
End product was ultimately missing but this was an accomplished performance but a player who most attacks flow through for Palmeiras. He was rewarded with the 'Superior Player of the Match' award, although that is voted for by fans and is liable to being influenced by Chelsea supporters keen to promote their new star.
Despite that quirk, it was nevertheless a promising display. One of the big questions around Estevao is how ready he will be for Premier League football.
It is hard to translate Brazilian domestic action into England but seeing Palmeiras face Champions League opposition will help Chelsea to assess him before he joins up next month. If Estevao is able to play like this, at this stage, against a team with European pedigree (Porto are a regular last-16 Champions League contender, at minimum), then there is plenty to be excited about.
Cole Palmer certainly echoes that sentiment. "He's a really good player," the Chelsea attacker said ahead of his own second match against Flamengo.
"I've spoken to him a few times. He doesn’t speak much English, so it was a case of Google Translate, but I've had a few conversations with him saying I'm looking forward to seeing him and playing with him."
Estevao followed up his Porto performance with another Man of the Match award in a 2-0 win over Al Ahly. This is a less high-calibre team but represents yet another step for Estevao.
Once more moving across the pitch, Estevao came close to scoring when attracting three red shirts before darting away and creating room for a shot. It flashed wide but his quality was evident again.
Estevao was again a catalyst for Palmeiras danger, even if he didn't have a role directly in either goal. For Chelsea, it will be enormously positive to see him adapting to new opponents.
Enzo Maresca has his mind elsewhere for now but will be planning to integrate the 18-year-old into his senior squad. "I'm not thinking about it," he said when asked about the winger.
"Now, if Estevao is doing well, we are happy. But in this moment he's doing well for another team. Hopefully he can do well for us when he joins.”
How Chelsea manage Estevao will be intriguing. He is undoubtedly a bright spark but players leaving Brazil have needed plenty of time, even for those who would become world class.
Neymar was relatively quick to come to speed but was also three years old than Estevao when Barcelona signed him. Vinicius Jr took three years to really get going at Real Madrid, yet he had played significantly less than Estevao before the move.
Either way, the player is excited for what is to come. "It means everything," he told ESPN Brasil earlier this month. "It's a dream come true for me.
"I've always dreamed of playing in Europe alongside the best. Playing in important competitions, such as the Champions League and the Premier League. It's a dream come true. It will be very important for my life.
Chelsea's Estevao Willian impressed for Palmeiras against Porto in the Club World Cup
Chelsea's Estevao Willian impressed for Palmeiras against Porto in the Club World Cup (Image: (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images))
"It's a dream of mine and my family's. It will be an incredible opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. And I hope to get there and adapt as quickly as possible. I want to play. It's the thing I love doing most, what I enjoy most."
As for changing home and moving to England, he added: "Madness. It will be my first time. And I'm going to stay. A film plays in my head, from where I came from to where I'm going.
"Of course, I know I will have difficulties, but I will be with my family, who are the pillar of my life. It will be an important step for me and my family. I hope it will be the best possible way. London, Chelsea.. It couldn't be better."
His focus is still on Palmeiras, but this time he will have more English eyes on him than ever before. "I just hope it goes as well as possible," he said. "We are aware of the difficulties of the [Club] World Cup. But we also know the worth of our team. We have very high expectations.
"We know the strength and character of our team, but we also know what we are going to face, with enormous challenges. My mind is very calm.
"I am very eager to represent Palmeiras in this competition, which is so big for the whole world. It will be an incredible opportunity to show my potential in these last moments at Palmeiras."