Estevao is probably the most proficient participant out of Brazil since Neymar – however carries much less of the luggage.
That is the view of South American soccer professional Tim Vickery after the Chelsea 18-year-old starred and scored an excellent purpose within the 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona on Tuesday night time.
Estevao has shortly grow to be a fan favorite at Stamford Bridge and confirmed a glimpse of his big potential with a fantastic efficiency on the massive stage.
“He’s regarded as the best, brightest, most talented player to come out of Brazil since Neymar, with one or two advantages,” Vickery advised Sky Sports activities Information, referencing the previous Barcelona, PSG and Brazil ace.
“He seems more stable than Neymar and so far has less baggage around him. The sky is the limit.”
Estevao and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal have been touted as the following Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo this previous week and Vickery says Estevao – who was nicknamed Messinho (Little Messi) in his youth – appears unfazed by the hype round him.
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“Comparisons with the top drawer – they put burden of pressure on him but he seems to respond exceptionally well to pressure,” stated Vickery.
“You could see right from his first game you’re dealing with a very, very special talent. A talent which, since Carlo Ancelotti took over as Brazil coach, is of crucial importance to the national team. His first start was Ancelotti’s first game and he’s banged in five goals between September and November. He’s a crucial part of Brazil’s quest to win the World Cup next year.”
Estevao’s journey is uncommon in that he has come straight from Brazil to the Premier League, finishing a £29.1m transfer from Palmeiras to Chelsea this summer season. He has signed a contract till 2032 with the London membership when many rising stars from his nation favor a swap to Spanish giants Actual Madrid or Barcelona.
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Former Chelsea participant and coach Jody Morris believes wonderkid Estevao is already a cult hero at Stamford Bridge.
Vickery believes Estevao is now a priceless asset for Chelsea.
“We’ve got the first genuine Brazil superstar to have chosen the Premier League,” he stated. “Usually they want Real Madrid or Barcelona. Estevao has come to Chelsea.
“He was on everybody’s want checklist and he did select Chelsea. A couple of months in the past, his agent stated what tipped the stability in Chelsea’s favour was they had been the membership most open to seeing him as a No 10, not a participant caught on the wing, slicing in. Clearly, that is a undertaking for the long run. That is one of many the reason why Chelsea received the race.
“He’s already proved his worth. He’s already put himself in that space where almost no one can afford him. Chelsea have got him on a long contract. One of the most exciting talents in the global game. I’m not sure all the money in the world could buy him at the moment.”
‘There are extra Estevaos coming to Chelsea’
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Kaveh Solhekol explains Chelsea’s switch plans to signal extra younger skills like Estevao.
Sky Sports activities Information’ Kaveh Solhekol:
“Estevao is a player who is up there with the best young players to come out of South America. Real Madrid were looking at him, Barcelona were looking closely as well as clubs like Arsenal.
“Nevertheless it was Chelsea who received him for preliminary £29m, and will keep at Palmeiras for an additional season.
“He’s been developed really well by Enzo Maresca, who has been very careful with how much he has played. The reason he chose Chelsea, according to his agent, as they were the one club who said: ‘In the future we see him as a No 10 and can play through the middle’.
“That’s where he wants to play, where other clubs saw him as a development prospect or someone out wide.
“The excellent news for Chelsea followers is: there are extra Estevaos on the way in which.
“Chelsea’s recruitment policy is not to sign ready-made players for £200m – but to buy the best young players.
“There may be Geo Quenda, who signed from Sporting CP for £44m and is becoming a member of in the summertime of 2026. He had a launch clause of £88m so Chelsea received him for half his launch clause.
“Some in Portugal say he’s the next Cristiano Ronaldo – I’m not sure about that, a lot of young Portuguese players get compared to him.
“A few weeks in the past they agreed a deal to signal Deinner Ordonez, a younger Ecuadorian centre-back who will take part 2028. They produce other signings set for 2026 and 2027, that is their focus.
“That’s why they have so many people working in their recruitment department. They get a lot of criticism for having so many sporting directors, but it seems to be working as they sign a lot of players like Estevao.”
