Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian has revealed whether he would celebrate against Chelsea at the 2025 Club World Cup.
In June, Chelsea committed to paying £29m with substantial add-ons for the starlet, who enjoyed a record-breaking campaign in the Brazilian top flight last year.
Despite being just 17 years of age, Estevao contributed 13 goals and nine assists from his 31 appearances for a team that narrowly missed out on the title.
Furthermore, Estevao has already earned four caps for the Brazil national team, and there is growing anticipation ahead of a move to Chelsea in July.
However, after the Club World Cup draw was made in December, there is potential for Palmeiras and Chelsea to face each other at the expanded tournament during the summer.
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Would Estevao celebrate versus Chelsea?
With Palmeiras being drawn in Group A and Chelsea in Group D, there is the potential for the two teams to meet in the quarter-finals of the competition.
That would be particularly intriguing due to any showdown coming when Estevao had officially become a Chelsea player.
Nevertheless, when quizzed by journalist Fred Bruno, who posted a video on X, whether he would celebrate a goal or win, Estevao said: "Of course I will, as long as I don't wear Chelsea shirt I'm fine!"
When asked whether he will need to improve physically and technically to adapt to the Premier League, he added: "I don't think either is necessary when I go to England."
Estevao's comments come after fellow Brazilian youngsters Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington failed to make an impact at Chelsea after their transfers from Santos.
The former has since joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr after a loan stint with Strasbourg, while the latter accumulated just 25 minutes of first-team football across 18 months before being earmarked for a loan return to his previous employers.
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Will Maresca include Estevao in next season's squad?
Where Estevao will sit in the pecking order under Enzo Maresca remains to be seen, but reports in the past have indicated that there are no plans for the attacker to be loaned out.
Chelsea seemingly prefer to oversee Estevao's acclimatisation period, but the player may have to be realistic about starting ahead of Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto.
Estevao has recently began the 2025 campaign with five appearances in the Campeonato Paulista, scoring two goals.
Darren Plant
