Chelsea fans have been left somewhat in the dark over the current status of Estevao Willian, one of their many recent signings during the summer transfer window.
On June 22, the Premier League giants announced one of the most eye-catching deals in their history, committing to a €57m deal to sign the recently-turned 17-year-old.
FIFA regulations prevent the teenager from linking up with the Blues until next summer, allowing him to continue his development in his homeland.
In the weeks that followed, Estevao produced a series of spellbinding performances - some of them match-winning - to further enhance his reputation.
During his following five starts, the winger contributed three goals and two assists, including registering one of each in a 2-0 victory over Bahia on July 11.
However, in two separate instances since then, Estevao has suffered an injury to his ankle, Palmeiras reacting in different ways in the public domain.
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Cause for concern for Chelsea?
When suffering the initial issue, Palmeiras played down suggestions that Estevao would miss a prolonged period, and that proved to be the case as he was only absent for a two-match period.
Estevao subsequently returned for the 2-0 home defeat to Vitoria before being withdrawn in the 68th minute, and he has not been seen since that occasion.
As per Trivela, that appearance on July 27 came just two days after the outlet saw the starlet 'walking with difficulty' in the stadium parking lot.
Palmeiras have since played twice without Estevao in their squad, losing 2-0 to Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil and posting a 1-1 draw with Internacional in the Brazilian top flight.
The report adds that there have been no sightings of the player in training, nor on social media, at a time when Palmeiras have not publicly disclosed his condition.
Providing that Estevao does not make a surprise return in either of the games against Flamengo this week, head coach Abel Ferreira is likely to be quizzed on the matter.
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Potential blessing in disguise?
Chelsea are said to want Estevao to be ready for Premier League action in 2025-26, rather than having any intention of sending him out on loan.
He will have only just turned 18 years of age at that point, yet he already has 31 appearances of senior football under his belt prior to the recent fitness issue.
Although co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will want the full lowdown on their investment, Estevao spending some time out of the limelight may not be such a bad thing at this stage of his career.
Before the ankle injury, Estevao had made as many as 13 starts and four substitute outings just in the league since April, with over 2,000 minutes of football for Palmeiras being accumulated since the start of 2024.
Darren Plant
