Abel Ferreira has been there.
So if he says that the current Wonderkid Estevao is something very special, it’s time to pay attention
4
Ferreira has had a long career as a right back in his native country Portugalcoached there Greece Before you go to Brazilwhere he has been the very successful boss for the past four and a half years Palmeiras.
He supervised the start of the career of Real Madrid wonder Handlewho scored the winner of Brazil Wembley Last year.
Ferreira, 46, says that the newest arrival of Chelsea, Estevao, “is different from everything I have ever seen” – which means that the child must indeed be something very special.
It was in the mid -last year, in a press conference after the game, and Ferreira fought hard to prevent him from saying the words.
View every match of the Club World Cup 2025 Live on Dazn
But he couldn’t hold his tongue. It all came out.
“This boy,” he said, “is different from everything I’ve ever seen.”
He took the opportunity to visit the club not to sell Estevao – which of course fell on deaf ears.
Within a few weeks Chelsea Had a deal closed to take it with you Stamford BridgeAlthough only after this summer World Cup Club.
The deal will officially take place on June 1, but the small print means that he still wears a Palmeiras shirt for a few weeks.
Chelsea fans can see their new teenage quartz when Palmeiras records it Porto In their opening match in New Jersey on Sunday.
So what was it about this somewhat built, modest younger who had fascinated Abel Ferreira?
Partly, as you would expect from a coach who encounters as a young Jose MourinhoIt was a mentality thing.
He loved the way in which Estevao, from the start, was so period through failure.
Ferreira would make it a point to the Palmeiras Youth players how, if a movement did not come out, Estevao would cover himself and, full of confidence, would try something new.
4
4
4
At the age of 17 he took crunch sentences and free kicks. This is therefore a meager small player with a big heart.
But what absolutely stands out is the talent – that kind George Best -Type balance that makes it seem that, although things happen too quickly for the defenders, he operates in slow motion, makes his options and calculates their chances of success.
Left foot, he is used on the right wing, where he can cut and shoot, or go outside and cross.
And to the delight of his coach, he has a good understanding of the space he must attack.
His first start came almost a year ago – April 11, 2024, in a competition in the Copa Libertadores, South America Champions Leagueagainst a team of Uruguay.
Estevao made his mark and stepped on the distant pole to score with a header.
Club World Cup 2025 Guide
Some of the world’s largest clubs are on their way to a Mammoth Club World Cup.
Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Man City and Inter Miami are among the 32 teams participating in the tournament, which runs from 14 June to 13 July.
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Ousmane Dembele, Cole Palmer and Harry Kane will show their skills to packed crowds in the US.
Los Blancos are favorites to lift the trophy in New York, but will be confronted with fierce competition from all over the world.
View every match of the Club World Cup 2025 on Dazn
Here is everything you need to know for the tournament …
Info
Latest news and functions
It was not the kind of goal that could be expected of a player of his type, but it was the result of how he had read the situation and worked out where he had to go.
All this brought back memories of another small player who had a similar capacity to understand what was going on at the age of 17 – a certain Lionel Messi.
And at the start of his youth career, Estevao was nicknamed ‘Messinho’.
The name of that Uruguayan club was by the way Liverpool.
And everywhere around the stadium, even on his debut as a starter, there was a concept that he would soon be on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, against a much larger club with the same name.
Palmeiras fans, and Brazilian supporters in general, catch Estevao as long as they can.
However, he will soon look at him the privilege of the Chelsea fidelity. And they must be genuinely enthusiastic.
It’s hard to see how they can use all the talent they buy – Ecuadorian Wonderkid Kendry PaezFor example, it is difficult to grow up in public.
His shape is pressed, which is a few months before his move England.
He could easily discover himself on loan and therefore lose momentum.
However, Estevao will demand inclusion. Chelsea supporters have the chance to follow the growth of the most dazzling talent to get out Brazil since Neymar– but with much less of the luggage.
Estevao is a discreet figure. There is nothing histrionic about him, and instead of going to the ground looking for mistakes, he has the healthy habit of trying to stay on his feet.
And it wasn’t long before Estevao will take Stamford Bridge up.
- Advertisement -
