Before the knockout stages of the 2025 club World Cup between Palmeiras and Botafogo this Saturday (6 p.m.), the Verdao coach, Abel Ferreira, wanted to defend the great hope Estevao, who will soon join Chelsea.
Promised to a bright future, Estevao could live his last match with Palmeiras before joining Chelsea. This Saturday (6 p.m.), the Brazilian club faces Botafogo in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. Expected among the Blues this summer, the young talent Auriverde (18) was recently criticized for his performances. The right winger can nevertheless count on the support of his coach, Abel Ferreira.
“Look at what you do to young players”
“I think it's normal for a kid who has been transferred. It is normal to be anxious, normal for a kid who has a dream that will come true. Many of you have massacred it,” said the Portuguese coach. The technician is priceless in the media in this case: “Look at what you do to young players. This is what sells, blood … You earn money in one way and we of another.”
Holder in the three games of the group Cup of the Club World Cup, Estevao was not decisive. Recruited in the summer of 2024 by Chelsea for 34 million euros (plus 23 million bonuses), the young player, who was to wait for his majority to join England, remained this season on 11 goals and five assists in 32 games played in all competitions.
The Brazilian international (5 selections) has been announced in recent times by Neymar as the “biggest emerging talent in Brazil”. “It will be a genius,” even predicted the former PSG player. “Estevao is the best player who has emerged from Neymar. You look at him and you fall in love,” said Joao Paulo Sampaio, coach of the Palmeiras Academy. In the coming weeks, he will therefore have to confirm his talent in the chelsea jersey.
