"Best player to come out of Brazil since Neymar" - Former Brazil international makes claim about Chelsea-bound star
Former Brazil star Claudio Branco has claimed that Chelsea-bound youngster Estevao Willian is the best player to emerge from the country since Neymar. The 17-year-old Brazil international is set to move to the Blues next summer, having agreed to move to London from Palmeiras.
The teenage sensation has been in brilliant form this season, his first full season in senior football with Palmeiras. The youngster cost a reported €60 million as the Blues edged Bayern Munich and a host of other sides in Europe to his signature. The young forward has already made his senior debut for the Brazil national team, signifying his rapid growth for his age.
Claudio Branco, now a talent co-ordinator with the Brazilian Confederation, hailed the youngster, comparing him to Neymar. He said (via Tribal Football):
"I saw many players, but Estevao, with all due respect to the others, is the best player to come out of Brazil since Neymar. The rest are spectacular, phenomenal, but this kid is something else."
Estevao Willian has scored 12 goals and providing eight assists in 27 league appearances for the side. The youngster leads the Brazilian top-flight in goals and assists despite his tender years as he prepares to move to Chelsea.
Brazil international Felipe Anderson spoke about the youngster recently, likening him to Neymar, with whom he played in the Santos academy. The Al-Hilal man also extended his congratulations to the youngster after he managed to break his record for goal contributions (18) in a single season by an U-17 player in the league.
Chelsea great shows support for Neymar amid injury woes
Chelsea great Thiago Silva has shown his support for former teammate Neymar after he suffered a hamstring injury while on duty with his club. The Brazilian star has endured a horror 2024 due to injuries and is out of action until the new year.
Silva posted an image of the two of them sharing an embrace on his Instagram account, showing that he stands with the talented forward. He added a caption to show his love for Neymar, who is Brazil's record goalscorer with 79 goals.
"I love you brother," Silva wrote.
Neymar ruptured his ACL and damaged his meniscus in November 2023 while playing for Al-Hilal, an injury that kept him out until October 2024. The 32-year-old picked up a hamstring tear in only his second game back, reportedly ruling him out until January 2025.