Club World Cup
1m ago
More than a few Chelsea-supporting eyes were drawn to Palmeiras’ goalless draw with Porto at Metlife Stadium on Sunday, eager to watch the bright new hope of Brazilian football test himself against European opposition for the first time.
The fact that Estevao was named FIFA’s Superior Player of the Match — an award decided by viewer votes — underlined the bubbling excitement that has followed him to this Club World Cup, and will accompany him to Stamford Bridge when a transfer worth €34million (£29m, $39m) up front and another €23m tied to performance-based incentives is formally completed after the tournament.
Estevao has had many more decisive matches for Palmeiras in the dazzling first 18 months of his professional career, but the Porto defence still bore witness to the qualities that compelled Chelsea to move so quickly to secure his signature last year: the silky dribble, the probing eye for a pass, the sharp movement into scoring positions, the keen awareness of space.
