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Palmer hails ‘top player’ Estevao after scoring against future club for Palmeiras

Estevao will join Chelsea from Palmeiras after the Club World Cup

Written by Cian Cheesbrough
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Palmer hails ‘top player’ Estevao after scoring against future club for Palmeiras

Cole Palmer hailed “top player” Estevao Willian after the Chelsea-bound Brazilian scored against the Blues in the Club World Cup.

Palmer was on target as Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the competition with a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras but it was the goal for the Brazilian side which took most of the headlines after the game.

Estevao, the 18-year-old who will now join Chelsea for £53million, fired a lovely finish past Robert Sanchez to give Blues fans a taste of what is to come at Stamford Bridge next season.

And Palmer, who was seen chatting and swapping shirts with the teenager after the game, was impressed with what he saw.

The Blues forward said: “I just said we look forward to seeing you but he didn’t understand that word I said!

“But, yes, he’s a top player. Obviously, he’s only young as well. When he comes to England, people need to give him time to adapt to the culture, the language.

“He’s still only 18 or 19 but you can see he’s got amazing quality and we look forward to seeing him.”

After opening the scoring with a well-taken left-footed finish into the bottom corner which was his first goal or assist in nine Chelsea games, Palmer ran to the touchline to celebrate with defender Tosin Adarabioyo.

“That’s my boy,” said Palmer of his fellow Manchester City academy graduate.

“Obviously, I’ve had a difficult time these past whatever months on and off the pitch, but he’s always been there for me and he’s helped me a lot. I just thought I’d go over to him.”

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The entertaining quarter-final in Philadelphia also saw the debut of £60m signing from Brighton Joao Pedro as a second-half substitute, with the Brazilian showing some impressive touches.

Palmer said Pedro: “I think he did very well.

“Obviously, he’s been on holiday in Brazil and we didn’t know what to expect from him (in terms of) match sharpness but I think he changed the game.”

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