Chelsea’s upcoming summer signing Estêvão will be one of the references for the Brazilian national team in Europe in the coming years.
That’s according to former Arsenal midfielder Denílson, via CNN Brazil, who believes the 17-year-old has made the right decision to join Chelsea.
Estêvão is set to move to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis in July 2025 with the Blues sealing a €34m deal for him earlier this year.
He’s the latest in a growing list of youngsters to sign for Chelsea over the last couple of years, with the club having made a concerted effort to sign young talent from across the world as part of their grand plan for the future.
The youngster is the undisputed rising star of Brazilian football at this moment in time after managing 13 goals and nine assists in 40 games for Palmeiras so far.
He’s already been given the nickname ‘Messinho’ after Lionel Messi, a tag he is keen to shake off, and made two appearances for the Brazilian national team.
His arrival at Chelsea is already hotly anticipated and Denílson can only see him going from strength to strength at Stamford Bridge.
“For me, Estêvão will be, in two, three, four or five years, one of the great references for Brazilian players in a big team in Europe,” he said.
“English football today is an attractive football, enjoyable to watch, unlike a few years ago, when it was a more competitive football. Today, we have a more technically beautiful football.
“(He knows) where he wants to go and what to do on the field. Chelsea is in the process of restructuring its team, as was done at Arsenal some time ago. It is a very young team, which is a reality in English football.
“The decision to go to England, where the football is more attractive and has his characteristics. Just to make a comparison, Savinho, who is young, is at City, has the same characteristics as Estêvão and is playing very well there.”
