Chelsea winger Estevao Willian has been nominated for the 2025 Golden Boy award.
The 18-year-old is not the only Chelsea player to make the cut, though. Jorrel Hato and Mamadou Sarr have also been nominated.
Sporting Lisbon youngster Geovany Quenda joins the Blues next year and has made the list, too. It means Chelsea are heavily represented.
The recruitment staff at Stamford Bridge would be delighted if one of the quartet won the accolade. However, there is also a valid reason for them not wanting Estevao to win.
Gavi of FC Barcelona showing the Golden Boy trophy
Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Chelsea will have to pay Palmeiras bonuses if Estevao Willian wins Golden Boy
If Estevao does not get his hands on the Golden Boy award this year, then Chelsea could end up saving a lot of money.
According to Portal do Palestra, the deal that saw Estevao join Chelsea from Palmeiras included several clauses.
One of those clauses is thought to be related to Estevao winning the Golden Boy award. Portal do Palestra’s report states that if the Brazilian manages that within three seasons, then Chelsea will have to pay Palmeiras bonuses.
The final fee that Chelsea end up paying for Estevao’s signature is likely to be worth it. The attacker has already made himself a Blues hero after netting the winning goal against Premier League rivals Liverpool before the international break.
If Estevao plays against Nottingham Forest this weekend, Chelsea fans will be hoping for more of the same.
Estevao Willian speaks to the media after SE Palmeiras v FC Porto: Group A - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Who is Estevao Willian up against in Golden Boy battle?
As well as Hato, Sarr and Quenda, Estevao will also have to see off the likes of Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue and Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz to win the award.
Full Golden Boy shortlist:
Yildiz has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, though signing him could prove difficult.
It is thought that Yildiz wants to remain at Juventus in a blow to Chelsea and other clubs who have been taking a look at the Turkey international.