Chelsea fans are still having to wait before they can get their first glimpse at future star Estevao Willian in their first team squad.
The Brazilian has played a key role for Palmeiras in the Club World Cup group stages, helping them top the group that included Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Porto.
Estevao’s multiple player of the match performances have been crucial, and now has set up a potential fixture against the Blues should they both win their Round of 16 ties.
It has been known since long before the tournament started that the youngster would officially become a Chelsea player when Palmeiras are eliminated from the competition.
This will make it very difficult for him to focus on the task at hand with the Brazilian club, something which he admitted in an interview with TNT Sports.
Palmeiras fans not happy with future Chelsea star Estevao Willian
He said: “It’s really hard [to focus]. [Going to Chelsea] is a dream coming true, but knowing that I need to focus here first, it’s not easy. You have to maintain your focus here. And the closer it gets, the anxiety starts to hit, the butterflies in the stomach start to hit. But I’m trying to focus as much as possible here, to leave her well with my head held high.”
Palmeiras fans have been left unhappy with these comments, taking to social media to voice their frustration at their wonderkid.
One user said: “After that, he should go to the bench and not play anymore.”
Another added: “Besides not being the star they portrayed, he’s just another one trained to be sold, with no ties to the club that developed him.”
Another added: “Besides not being the star they portrayed, he’s just another one trained to be sold, with no ties to the club that developed him.”
A third stated: “Wow, seriously, you swear you’re not focused on Palmeiras? I didn’t even notice.”
Another claimed: “The coach, whenever he could, said that Endrick had his head in Europe, that they had to keep him here. Estevao is out there admitting he’s already barely giving a damn and will get, as a bonus, another starting spot this weekend.”
Finally, one user said: “Football player career advisors in Brazil are becoming increasingly amateur. Damn How do they allow a kid to say something like that in an interview? Total focus on a career in Europe and the money he’ll earn. Screw the club that launched him. At least he was honest.”
Estevao already in conversation with Chelsea star
A number of Chelsea players have already stated how excited they are to link up with the Brazilian upon his arrival. Cole Palmer has shared his optimism at their upcoming combination at Stamford Bridge.
Estevao claimed he had been talking to Moises Caicedo about the pressures of moving to Chelsea, after the Ecuadorian has established himself as the first name on the teamsheet for the club.
With the potential for the Blues to match up with Palmeiras before the Club World Cup comes to an end, plenty of Chelsea fans would no doubt love to see how he fares up against the likes of Marc Cucurella before becoming his teammate.