Teenage sensation Estevao bid an emotional farewell to Palmeiras after the Brazilian club's 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup quarter-finals on Friday. The match, held in Philadelphia, was highly anticipated as it pitted Estevao against his future employers, Chelsea, ahead of his confirmed move to the Premier League club.
The young winger's potential move to Chelsea was agreed upon last year, with the Club World Cup quarter-final offering him a unique opportunity to impress his future team directly. Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira had urged Estevao to showcase his talent and give Chelsea a glimpse of what he is capable of before officially joining the Blues. Ferreira stated that he expected the 18-year-old to deliver a strong performance against his future employers, emphasizing that Estevao "has to do his job".
Despite the loss, Estevao delivered a memorable performance, even scoring a stunning goal. This display of skill and determination came as no surprise to those familiar with the young player's talent. The head of Palmeiras' academy, Joao Paulo Sampaio, has even gone as far as to label Estevao as the best Brazilian player since Neymar.
Ferreira had expressed his hope that Estevao would give his best for Chelsea, allowing them to witness his potential and quality. He also hoped that Estevao would seize the opportunity to demonstrate his growth as both a man and a professional during his time at Palmeiras. Furthermore, Ferreira wished that Estevao might score a goal as a parting gift to the Palmeiras fans.
Palmeiras entered the match seeking redemption after their defeat to Chelsea in the 2022 Club World Cup final. They also aimed to strike a blow for South American football against the European giants. Despite Chelsea's earlier loss to Flamengo in the group stage, Palmeiras was considered the underdog. Ferreira acknowledged Chelsea's strength but stressed Palmeiras' determination to fight for their dream. He also anticipated that the local fans in Philadelphia would support Palmeiras, especially given that the match coincided with the United States' Independence Day holiday.
Chelsea Football Club agreed to a deal to sign Estevao from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian set to officially join the club next summer. The 17-year-old has already established a strong reputation in South America as a highly talented player, known for his skillful dribbling and electric pace. During his breakout season in senior football, Estevao made 10 appearances in the Brazilian Serie A for Palmeiras, contributing two goals and two assists. He also scored in the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.
Estevao joins fellow Brazilians Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, and Angelo Gabriel at Stamford Bridge. There is considerable excitement surrounding Santos, who is expected to play a key role in the squad after a successful loan spell at Strasbourg last season.
While Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca stated he hadn't spoken to Estevao, the young player's performance in the Club World Cup clash offered a tantalizing glimpse of his potential. As Estevao embarks on his Chelsea journey, he leaves Palmeiras with fond memories and the best wishes of his former coaches and teammates. His emotional farewell marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of an exciting new adventure in the Premier League.
