Chelsea hint at SHOCK Cole Palmer departure

Estevao Willian’s agent, Andre Cury, has confirmed that Chelsea view his client as an attacking midfielder ahead of his arrival this summer.

Estevao, who has been nicknamed ‘Messinho’, will join Chelsea for an initial €34 million in July after the Blues fought off significant competition to land his signature last year.

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Arsenal, Barcelona, Real Madrid and a host of other top European clubs were also interested in signing the 17-year-old, but Chelsea were victorious in the race to land him due to their desire to use Estevao in an attacking midfield role.

That is according to the Brazilian’s agent, Cury. He told O Globo: “It [Chelsea] was the only club that saw us as No 10, to play in midfield. I may be wrong, but we will have the opportunity.

“I think we will be right, so that was also something that weighed heavily.”

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Estevao has almost solely played as a right winger during his time in Palmeiras’ senior team and he had been expected to displace Noni Madueke as Chelsea’s preferred option in this position.

However, Cury believes that Estevao is destined to become a prominent figure in a central role.

“In my opinion, on my team he plays as a ten,” Cury added. “They like to put him on the wing. I think it’s too narrow for a player of that quality, I think that, like all players of that quality in the world, he’s usually the No 10, so the No 10 plays inside.”

Cole Palmer to be sidelined?

Chelsea have made a habit of signing a plethora of options for each position on the pitch in recent years, so Estevao is expected to rotate with Cole Palmer and Kendry Paez in the No.10 role.

However, the Blues may find themselves in an uneasy position whereby Palmer pushes to leave the club if he is no longer a guaranteed starter.

The England international has scored 39 goals and provided 21 assists in 78 appearances since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, and although his current contract isn’t due to expire until 2033, Chelsea’s desire to play Estevao as a No.10 may hint that Palmer could be the player to drop out of the starting XI.

The Blues are unlikely to allow their star man to depart, but they could face an unwanted scenario if Estevao establishes himself as a serious competitor for the No.10 role.