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Posted on February 16, 2026 7:30 pm | Updated on February 16, 2026 4:14 pm
Chelsea summer plans are sharpening into focus, and Estevao Willian may quietly play a role in the chase for £50m-rated Murillo. The Blues want defensive authority, not just depth. After a quiet winter window, Stamford Bridge feels like it is bracing for impact.
Estevao Willian and the £50m-rated Murillo Connection That Changes Everything
According to sources, Chelsea and Liverpool are the most advanced clubs in talks for Nottingham Forest defender Murillo, valued at £50m. Manchester United and Tottenham are also circling. Translation? This is not a polite queue. This is a buffet line of the premier league.
In January, Chelsea tried to sign defensive reinforcements and ended up standing on the spot. They were under monitoring of Jeremy Jacquet, Marcos Senesi and Jacobo Ramon.
No deal materialized. The club instead recalled Mamadou Sarr, who delivered a composed debut performance against Hull City. Quiet, efficient, unfussy — the kind of shift that defenders dream about and forwards hate.
Still, the larger issue remains. Chelsea have options at centre-back, but few automatic selections. Injuries and rotation have blurred the hierarchy. In elite football, clarity matters.
Now enters the Estevao angle.
Before arriving in London, the Brazilian teenager spoke publicly about conversations with Murillo during his time in Brazil. They are international teammates, familiar with each other’s games and personalities. That familiarity could ease adaptation. In modern football, chemistry is currency.
And make no mistake: adaptation in the Premier League is brutal. If Murillo arrives, he will not get a soft landing. He will get Haaland on a Saturday.
Why Estevao Willian Could Be the Quiet Recruiter
There is something fascinating about young stars influencing transfer decisions. Estevao Willian is not yet kicking balls at Stamford Bridge weekly, yet his voice carries weight inside dressing rooms.
As per reports, he previously sought advice from Murillo about adjusting to European football. That tells you something about respect. Players notice who handles pressure well. They notice composure.
Murillo has been one of Forest most consistent performers this season. Strong in duels, calm under pressure, progressive in possession. Chelsea lack that steady presence at the back. When your goalkeeper and midfield are largely settled, instability behind them becomes magnified.
If Estevao feels comfortable with Murillo, that matters. Football is tribal. Shared language and shared experiences shorten the learning curve.
But sentiment alone does not justify £50m. Performance does.
£50m-rated Murillo: Upgrade or Luxury?
Chelsea defence currently feels like a puzzle missing its center piece. Benoit Badiashile could be considered for sale. Axel Disasi may leave permanently. Trevoh Chalobah future remains uncertain. Tosin and Levi Colwill are subjected to injury and rotation questions. The sources indicate that there are three or four exits which are probable in case a major signing arrives.
That is not trimming. That is renovation.
Spending £50m demands certainty. Murillo brings Premier League experience, physical strength, and left-footed balance. Those traits fit modern systems. But is he transformational?
He is not yet a household name. He is not a Champions League veteran. What he is, however, is reliable. And sometimes reliability wins titles more than flair.
Chelsea must also secure Champions League qualification to strengthen their negotiating position. Without it, this becomes harder. The best defenders will like to play in big lights.
Timing is everything.
Opinion of Author: Estevao Willian Sparks the Fire, however, Chelsea must think bigger.
Here is the honest truth. It is interesting how Estevao Willian admiration. It adds narrative spice. But Chelsea cannot build strategy on friendship.
The club need a defensive cornerstone. A leader. Someone who organizes chaos when matches tilt sideways. Murillo might become that. He is young enough to grow, experienced enough to contribute immediately.
But £50m should buy authority.
Chelsea has learned hard lessons about scattergun spending. The next phase must be precise. If Murillo arrives, it should be because he elevates the line, not because he is available.
The upside? At 22, he aligns with the club age profile. The risk? Competition will inflate the price. Liverpool interest is serious. Others will test resolve.
This is not just about adding a centre-back. It is about establishing identity.
And if Estevao Willian presence nudges the deal forward, consider it a bonus — not the blueprint.
Summer windows do not reward hesitation. They reward conviction.
Chelsea must decide soon whether £50m-rated Murillo is the answer — or simply another chapter in a rebuild that refuses to sit still.
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