Chelsea signing Estevão is one of those transfers that shakes the entire market and makes big claims for the future. Currently 17, young forward won't be able to transfer in an official capacity until 2025 when he turns 18. Even so, Chelsea's head coach Enzo Maresca has already got his eyes on the development of the young player while at Palmeiras.
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Maresca doesn't mask the excitement for the future signing, already trumpeting him inside a news conference. Following Chelsea's 1-0 win against Bournemouth in the Premier League, the coach jokingly referred to Estevão's good performances: "Unfortunately, he's playing well there and not here." It is at this point that the discussion of the development of young soccer talents in Brazil really takes off.
Estevão: A Brazilian diamond shining from afar
The sale of Estevão to Chelsea for €61.5 million cements Palmeiras once more in the headlines as one of the top talent factories in Brazil. Already making a difference on the national scene, this move will hardly be out of the blue for anyone who has followed him. Palmeiras are known for developing youngsters who consequently attract the attention of European clubs, and Estevão is no exception in adding something special to that running narrative.
Already at seventeen years old, Estevão has a lot of pressure put on him with the expectation that he will be one of the next big soccer stars. His name is already on the lips of those behind the scenes in the Premier League-even though not old enough to make the move-creating curiosity and building suspense as to what he will bring into European soccer. Maresca's words reveal just how desperate Chelsea are to bring this polished gem into their squad: "We'll wait until next summer when he arrives, but we're really happy with how he's doing things."
The weight of the transfer and expectations at Chelsea
With a price tag of €61.5 million-€45 million guaranteed and the rest in goals related to performance-Chelsea is clearly making a big bet on Estevão's future. But investing in young prospects has become common strategy among European powerhouses. The idea is pretty simple: secure the talent before his value goes through the roof-bet early, reap later.
Estevão is another product of the fashion in which big clubs nowadays invest in talent, sometimes years before it turns 18. Coach Maresca is fully aware of what weight this signing carries and doesn't beat around the bush when declaring that Chelsea concentrates on long-term development of players: "Unfortunately, he's playing well there and not here, but soon enough we'll have him in our squad.".
These words summarize the expectation for Estevão's arrival in Chelsea. Maresca can hardly wait, and rightly so, as the attacking Brazilian starlet has been touted as one who may rebrand Chelsea's attack in the seasons to come.
The stage is set: Estevão at Chelsea
So, what is it about Estevão that makes him such a mouthwatering prospect for Chelsea? It's all about his performance. This young forward has shown a certain maturity in the field, which is not normally seen from a jolly young man. He is fast, creative, and a sharp finisher-three traits of pure gold in European soccer. Of course, Maresca has already taken notice, following closely the games of Estevão in Brazil.
If his adaptation process to English soccer goes according to plan, Estevão might be one of those players to make an immediate impact. But there's always a transition period, especially when such young talents migrate from South America to Europe. The Premier League is more physical, faster, and the pressure from the fans and the English media is sometimes immense. But one thing Maresca seems very certain about is that Estevão has the tools to overcome these challenges.