New Chelsea star's agent confirms 'world class' £49m talent won't play in Club World Cup
Chelsea will be one of two Premier League representatives in this summer's Club World Cup - along with Manchester City - but won't be able to call on one new boy for the tournament
Chelsea new boy Estevao Willian won't be available to play for the Blues in this summer's Club World Cup, his agent has claimed. The teenage star is due to join from Palmeiras in the summer, but the switch won't be brought forward.
After qualifying for the Club World Cup via their 2021 Champions League win, Chelsea have been drawn against Esperance, Flamengo and a fourth team which is yet to be confirmed. Original opponents Club Leon have been booted out of the tournament over multi-club ownership concerns, though they have publicly contested the ruling.
Estevao, who turns 18 on Thursday, will join the Blues in a deal worth up to £49million including add-ons. However, agent Andre Cury has confirmed he won't join until after the summer tournament in the United States.
"Yes, he's arriving after the Club World Cup," Cury confirmed to AS. "He's a world-class player. Very good. A guy who's going to make history here."
Cury played down comparisons with Neymar, saying his client has his own style, but backed Estevao to slot right in at his new club. "Afraid of the jump to the Premier League? No, he'll play calmly," he added. "He'll arrive and be ready to play. He's playing very well at Palmeiras."
The Brazilian domestic season operates on a different calendar to that of most European leagues. Palmeiras sit top of the Serie A table after five unbeaten matches, with Estevao setting up Jose Manuel Lopez in a 2-1 win at Fortaleza last time out.
Sao Paulo club Palmeiras will also take part in the upcoming Club World Cup thanks to their 2021 Copa Libertadores success. Their campaign begins against Porto, with their group also including Al-Ahly and Inter Miami.
Back in October, Estevao told The Guardian about the message he received from future team-mate Cole Palmer after agreeing his Chelsea switch. 'When I signed for Chelsea, the next day I scored a goal and celebrated like Palmer. His celebration was trend, very popular,' he said.
'We talked on social media, I tagged him on Instagram, he called me a star, I said he's a star too. He said we're going to do a lot of great things together for Chelsea.'
It remains to be seen whether the pair have a chance to take on Champions League opponents next season. A late comeback win at Fulham on Sunday lifted Enzo Maresca's Chelsea back into the qualification spots, only for Nottingham Forest to climb back above them with a win at Tottenham on Monday night.
They still have away games against fellow Champions League contenders Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in May, along with a game at home to champions-elect Liverpool. All these responsibilties have to be fitted around a bid for Conference League glory, with Djurgardens awaiting in this season's semi-finals.
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