Maresca, Palmer Hails Estevao After Winning POTM In Palmeiras VS Chelsea

During the Club World Cup quarter-finals clash between Palmeiras and Chelsea earlier today, Brazilian forward Estevao Willian delivered a performance that left his future club stunned.

Estevao, 18, who is set to join Chelsea next season in a deal worth up to £52 million, capped up his dazzling display in the game with a stunning equaliser from a seemingly impossible angle.

Despite Palmeiras eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat after a late own goal, Estevao was named Player of the Match.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was left impressed not only by the result but by the glimpse into the club’s future.

“Happy because we won and also happy because Estevao scored, the perfect night”, the coach said.

“He is very good, a huge talent, a fantastic player. The only thing is that when you come from South America or another part of the world, you need to adapt.

“We are going to help him to adapt, be happy and enjoy football. We have no doubt he will be an important player for Chelsea.”

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer, who was seen speaking to Estevao after the final whistle, echoed that excitement with a hint of humour.

“You can see he is a top player, so it is very exciting”, the British star said.

“I just said we are excited for you to join, but he didn’t understand a single word I said.”

For Estevao, the night was emotional in more ways than one. It marked the end of his time with Palmeiras, a club that helped him catch the attention of Europe’s biggest sides.

“Palmeiras opened the door for me. I was deeply happy in Palmeiras and my family knows how happy I was”, the youngster said.

“I’m very happy I could score a goal to help my club. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the result we wanted, but we gave our best on the pitch, and now I am moving on.”

His manager at the Brazilian side, Abel Ferreira, urged Chelsea’s coach to take care of the youngster.

He said, “I spoke before with Maresca and told him, ‘You bought an amazing player, but more than this, you bought an amazing person’.

“You need to take care of him. You need to embrace him, and in the beginning, for sure, he will make mistakes. Like you saw today he is an amazing player with a lot of skill. He is a player who can win a game alone.”