Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian has admitted that he is struggling to stay focused on his participation at the 2025 Club World Cup due to his imminent move to Chelsea.
The Brazil wonderkid will complete a high-profile transfer to Enzo Maresca’s side once the tournament concludes and he is expected to play a key role at Stamford Bridge next campaign.
Chelsea agreed an initial €34 million deal with Palmeiras last summer, although the transfer fee could rise to a whopping €65m due to several potential add-on clauses, and the 18-year-old will compete with Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto for a starting berth on the right flank.
After the match, he admitted to TNT Sports Brazil: “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 everything I can on the pitch, to leave here well, with my head held high, through the front door, knowing that I did my best here.”
Chelsea’s summer transfers
In addition to Estevao, Chelsea have also already finalised the arrivals of Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Mamadou Sarr and Kendry Paez so far this summer.
Delap and Essugo both made their debuts against LAFC in Chelsea’s first match of the Club World Cup, while Sarr has been an unused substitute during the tournament so far.
Paez wasn’t included in Chelsea’s squad for the Club World Cup, despite the fact he is training with the team in the United States of America, and he is expected to join Strasbourg on loan.
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