The FC Chelsea presents a new wonder-teen. The transfer was already decided 14 months ago.
FC Chelsea presented their next newcomer on Tuesday evening with Estevao. The Blues secure the Brazilian for a proud 34 million euros from Palmeiras. This is nothing new. The deal was already sealed 14 months ago. But only now is the wonder-teen allowed to play for the club.
“I had to wait almost a year and a half to get here. But it was a year and a half where I worked hard and did my best to arrive here in the best possible shape,” said the right winger on the club’s homepage.
When Chelsea made the transfer perfect, the left-footer was only 16 years old. But due to FIFA regulations for transfers of minors, Estevao has only been allowed to play since his 18th birthday on April 24th.
So that he is not condemned to watch for so long, the transfer date was set for July 14, 2025. But since then, all Chelsea professionals have been on vacation after winning the Club World Cup. “Now he has joined his new teammates at the Blues in Cobham,” the club announced on its homepage.
Estevao is celebrated as “Messinho” in Brazil
“Messinho”, as Estevao is called in his home country because of his admiration for Lionel Messi, has used the waiting time and already surpassed all national records in Brazil of top stars such as Neymar, Vinícius Jr. or Endrick.
In the fall of 2024, Estevao celebrated his debut in the Selecao. At 17 years and 135 days, Estevao ranked fifth on the list of the youngest players to ever debut for the Brazilian national team, right behind Endrick. The teenager has now completed five international matches.
He has already played 83 games for the first team of Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists. Now he wants to take off at Chelsea.
“I am very happy, it is a great feeling to play for Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Estevao. “I am very happy and hope to help the team in the best possible way.”
So far, he speaks hardly any English and still has to learn the language. “I am very, very excited. It’s a new experience in my life, a new stage,” he revealed.