Estevao Willian has received glowing praise from new manager Enzo Maresca, after the Brazilian wonderkid shone against Chelsea in the Club World Cup.

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• Estevao stood out against Chelsea
• Scored a stunning goal to equalise
• Will join Blues for initial £29m

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Maresca was highly impressed with the teenager, who was a stand-out performer as his Palmeiras side narrowly lost 2-1 to the Blues in Estevao's last appearance for the Brazilian outfit. The 18-year-old scored a stunning solo goal from a tight angle, but could not prevent Chelsea winning 2-1 with a late own goal the decider.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Estevao will join up with Chelsea imminently after the club agreed to let their new signing finish the Club World Cup with Palmeiras before arriving at Stamford Bridge. He had agreed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea while he was aged 17 in a deal worth an initial £29m, potentially rising as high as £55m, to be completed this summer. Estevao recently posted an emotional goodbye message after playing his last game for Palmeiras in defeat to the Blues.

• WHAT MARESCA SAID

  Maresca said after the Club World Cup encounter: "Happy because we won and happy because he (Estevao) scored. It was a perfect night!

  "He is very good, a gigantic talent, a fantastic player. The only thing is that when you come from South America or another part of the planet, you have to adapt. We will help you adapt, be happy and enjoy football. We have no doubt that he will be an important player for Chelsea." 

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MARESCA AND ESTEVAO?

  The pair will no doubt be excited to work together very soon, with the young Brazilian's potential at Stamford Bridge endless. In the meantime, Chelsea and Maresca have their Club World Cup campaign to focus on. They face another Brazilian side in the semi-finals, Fluminese, who are captained by former Blues defender Thiago Silva.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News