Former Chelsea Star Willian Compares Estevao to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in Exciting Chelsea Prediction

Excitement surrounding Chelsea’s young Brazilian talent, Estevao Willian, has reached an all-time high—and for very good reason. At just 18 years of age, Estevao has already built an impressive reputation in Brazil, both at club level with Palmeiras and on the international stage with the Brazilian national team. Now, anticipation among Chelsea fans has intensified even further, as former Blues winger Willian—who enjoyed a highly successful career at Stamford Bridge—has heaped praise on the youngster, even going so far as to compare him to Barcelona’s breakout star, Lamine Yamal.

Estevao is set to officially become a Chelsea player after the conclusion of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. The Premier League club secured his signature from Palmeiras in 2024 through a transfer deal valued at £29 million. The agreement also includes performance-related add-ons, which could see the total cost rise to as much as £57 million if the player meets certain milestones. Despite still being in his teens, Estevao has already earned five senior international caps for Brazil, a clear indication of his immense talent and potential. Many within the football world believe he is poised to become one of the next big stars in the English Premier League.

Willian, who made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea and won a host of trophies during his seven years in west London, has spoken highly of Estevao’s abilities and prospects in England.

“There’s no doubt in my mind—he has exceptional talent and immense quality,” Willian said in an interview with ESPN Brasil. “What makes him even more exciting is that he’s still so young, but already possesses great skill and promise, much like Lamine Yamal. In fact, I think their playing styles are quite similar.”

Lamine Yamal, just 16 years old, has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about young footballers in Europe. Known for his breathtaking dribbling skills and mature performances for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, he has set a high bar for young players across the continent. If Estevao is able to follow a similar trajectory, then Chelsea supporters could be witnessing the rise of a future superstar.

Willian went on to say: “I sincerely hope that Estevao achieves great success here in England while playing for Chelsea. He has the potential to score a lot of goals, win numerous titles, and help the club add more silverware to its collection over the coming years.”

However, while the praise was strong, Willian also offered a word of caution. He reminded fans and the player himself that transitioning from Brazilian football to the highly competitive and physically demanding English Premier League is not always a straightforward process.

“My advice to him is to remain fully committed and dedicated,” Willian advised. “Football in England is very different from what he’s used to in Brazil. When he arrives at Chelsea, he’ll likely need to put in extra work with the coaching staff to adapt to the style and intensity of the Premier League. That said, I believe he has a strong mindset and a good head on his shoulders, which will serve him well.”

Willian also emphasized that there’s no question about Estevao’s technical abilities. “He has more than enough talent to play for a top club like Chelsea,” he added. “The key will be how quickly he can adjust to his new environment and prove himself in one of the world’s most demanding leagues.”

Of course, Willian speaks from experience. During his time at Chelsea, the now 36-year-old veteran won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and a UEFA Europa League trophy—demonstrating exactly what it takes to thrive in English football.

For the time being, Estevao remains with Palmeiras. However, Chelsea fans might not have to wait long for a sneak peek of what the teenager can offer. Both Chelsea and Palmeiras are competing in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, hosted in the United States. Chelsea have been placed in Group D, alongside ES Tunis, LAFC, and Flamengo, while Palmeiras are in Group A with Porto, Inter Miami, and Al Ahly.

Palmeiras played their opening match of the tournament against Porto, a game that ended in a goalless draw and featured Estevao in the starting lineup. Given the tournament format, there’s a real possibility that Chelsea and Palmeiras could face each other in the quarter-finals. If that happens, it would offer Blues supporters an early opportunity to see their highly anticipated future signing in action—on the world stage—before he officially dons the Chelsea jersey.