Palmeiras have done it again. Mere months after releasing ‘Pelé regen’ Endrick upon the world, they’ve managed to unearth arguably the best talent Brazil have seen since Neymar, Estêvão. And there is plenty more where he came from.
By Alex Roberts
Speaking of Neymar, he’s a big fan. A goal and an assist in the 5-3 win over Juventude earlier in the season took Estêvão‘s goal contribution tally up to 18, making him the most productive Under-17 in the history of the Brazilian top-flight (he’s since moved to 19).
We’ll give you one guess to who previously held the record. Ever gracious, the former-Santos superstar took to Instagram to congratulate Estêvão on his incredible achievement.
Unlike Neymar, however, Premier League giants Chelsea didn’t fail in their pursuit. Often criticised for their scattergun approach to recruitment, the West London side didn’t hesitate in agree a potential £56 million fee for the youngster.
Yes, the 17-year-old wonderkid has been around for a while, in fact he made his first team debut a year ago. The modern age means hidden gems don’t stay hidden for very long, but this is his first season as a bonafide, undroppable member of the of the Palmeiras squad.
Estêvão has played a massive 40 games across all competitions for Palmeiras so far this season, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists in the league as they chase their third consecutive Brasileirão title.
He was at his mesmeric best in their comprehensive 5-0 league win over Cuiaba, scoring twice and effortlessly bagging two assists. Estêvão’s looping corner found Murilo Cerqueira for the opener before the youngster scored his first from the penalty spot.
Not long after he got his second goal. The ball was glued to his left foot, cutting inside and turning the opposition defender left, right, and centre before delicately slotting home at the near post.
The Cuiaba defenders had no answer for him, and just ahead of the hour mark, he slipped former West Ham winger Felipe Anderson in for their fifth and final goal of the game.
Portuguese boss Abel Ferreira has been at the helm for just over four years now, a rare feat in Brazil. Not only has that consistency given Estêvão the perfect opportunity to flourish, he couldn’t have wished for a better manager to help him prepare for life in the Premier League.
Ferreira expects nothing short of maximum effort from his boys at all times. Of course, Estêvão’s attacking number are impressive, but few would have expected a tricky, young Brazilian winger to put in the defensive work he does.
In the league alone he’s won possession in the final third 18 times, made 88 recoveries, and won 76% of his tackles. Aerially he’s struggled, winning just 29% of his duels, but at 176cm, that should come as no surprise.
His fine form has earned him two Brazil caps, coming on as a second half substitute in their two World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay, playing a combined 32 minutes.
Estêvão is a remarkable talent, his ceiling is as high as we’ve seen for a long time, but he’s not the first, and he’s unlikely to be the last.
Although not a forward like Endrick and Estêvão, 18-year-old centre-back Vitor Reis is the latest product from Palmeiras’ never-ending talent factory, making 18 appearances across all competition for his boyhood club this season.
He’s already been linked with the European big boys, both Arsenal and Real Madrid are reportedly ready to battle it out for the ‘new Marquinhos’, so don’t be surprised if he makes a £60 million move before too soon.
But wait! There’s more! Widely regarded as the replacement for Chelsea-bound Estêvão, Luighi could be their next superstar. The forward came off the bench to score a vital late equaliser in their 1-1 draw against Flamengo in August.
The Premier League is a totally different ball game, and only time will tell if Estêvão will reach his potential or fall into obscurity like so many before him.
Endrick has struggled to find his feet at Real Madrid, reduced to the odd substitute appearance and cup game while Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham get all the glory.
Estêvão won’t quite have that calibre of player to compete with, but Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke are still pretty good. Plus, who can forget Chelsea’s other great South American hope, Kendry Páez (who also arrives next year).
Chelsea seem determined to make the move work and have already confirmed he will be given the chance to prove himself once he heads to London in the summer of 2025.
Copying Palmer’s ‘cold’ celebration is one thing, being able to do what he can on the pitch is completely different. Estêvão, Brazil’s great hope, has the ability, all he needs to do is grab the opportunity with both hands and make it his.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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