Estêvão Willian has told ESPN in Brazil that Chelsea are eagerly awaiting his arrival.
Back in June, the Blues agreed a deal with Palmeiras for the 17-year-old to arrive at the west London club in the summer of 2025. Chelsea won’t be able to bring him to the UK until he turns 18 years of age next April.
Despite agreeing a deal to join Chelsea, the forward is yet to visit the club, something he plans to do soon. Estêvão has revealed he’s already held talks with Cole Palmer and Reece James and has started taking English lessons.
“I really like this [Palmer’s] celebration. Since I signed with Chelsea, I said I was going to do this celebration,” he said.
“We exchanged ideas, I’m happy to have this contact with him. I’m learning English, it’s tough, it’s a good technique [moves without subtitles], music… I haven’t visited Chelsea yet, but, given the opportunity, now on vacation, I’m going to see the structure.
“There are Chelsea agents here in Brazil who talk to you, Palmer talks to me on Instagram, there’s James who said that if I needed anything I should talk to him, Thiago Silva spoke to me in this last game. He said that the club is top, and they are waiting for me with open arms.”
The Brazil international wears No.41 on his back at Palmeiras and is hopeful to get the same number at Chelsea.
“I don’t have [a preference], but I really like 41. If I have the 41 it would be cool too,” Estêvão explained.
The incoming Chelsea player has also talked about his preferred position on the pitch.
“I was always a Np.10 and went to the wing to have one-on-one. Of course I respect Abel [Ferreira’s] decision, I know that on the wing I have enjoyed it better, but who knows in the future I will play where I feel more comfortable, which is inside,” he added.
He joined the Brazilian club’s academy in 2021 and made his way into their first team last year. Since then, he played 46 games in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and registering 10 assists in the process.
The youngster’s performances for Palmeiras had caught the attention of several European clubs before Chelsea won the battle in the end.
