Chelsea's new superstar Estevao Willian SNUBS offer to join team-mates at Club World Cup for heartwarming reason
Enzo Maresca and the Blues hierarchy urged teenage starlet Estevao to share the Chelsea embrace
3
Palmeiras' Estevao douses himself in in his final game for the club
Credit: AP
3
Cole Palmer was seen exchanging words with his soon to be teammate Estevao Willian.
Credit: AFP
3
Chelsea players were keen to make him feel welcome
Credit: AFP
They included Reece James, who spoke his 'welcome to Stamford Bridge' message in Portuguese, Enzo Fernandez,
Despite being touched by the invitation, Estevao said he had a debt to his pals at Palmeiras that needed to be repaid before he could move on with the
next
chapter of his life in
London
.
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That meant getting on a flight back to Sao Paulo rather than moving on to
New York
with Maresca's men ahead of their semi-final against Fluminense.
The youngster explained: "I had to ask Essugo what Cole had said to me. He laughed a bit before translating, telling me 'Cole said he's excited for you and want you to come with us after the game'."
Estevao added: 'I wanted to stay some more time with my team pals.
'I came here with them. And I should go back to
Brazil
with them.
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'My heart is broken because only we know how hard we worked.
'But I leave with
pride
. And I am happy to have a giant club as
Chelsea
opening its doors to me.
'He didn't understand a single word' - Cole Palmer reveals what he told Willian Estevao after Chelsea's win vs Palmeiras
'I just wanted to show my new fans in
England
who I am. That it is all.
'I hope to learn. I am sure I come to
London
to evolve, and to make
history
there too.
'Chelsea, though, can wait a few more days.
'I want to say goodbye properly to each and every player, technical staff and working person at our base camp.'
Estevao's emotional departure was also a huge signal to Maresca and the
Chelsea
dressing room
that they are getting a gem - and one close, potentially ready, to adorn the team.
Enzo told the 19-year-old: 'We'll make
history
together' while fellow Brazilian new boy Joao
Pedro
hugged him and said: "This is your new home, little brother.'
Delap offered a warm and enthusiastic handshake,
hair
, before Brazilian Andrey
Santos
greeted him in their native tongue and spent a minute locked in an embrace of friendship.
There was a final, parting, conversation with
Palmeiras
coach Abel Ferreira in a quiet hallway.
Ferreira said: 'You're leaving through the big door.
'But now it's time to close cycles and believe in your
future
.'
Club World Cup 2025 Guide
SOME of the world's biggest clubs are in action at this summer's Club World Cup in the United States!
Chelsea are keeping Premier League hopes alive in the big tournament which is on until the final at New Jersey's Metlife Stadium July 13.
Though Manchester City have been knocked out by Saudi Pro side Al-Hilal after losing in a 4-3 thriller.
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