Chelsea told they have ‘left-footed version’ of Real Madrid superstar after signing Estevao Willian

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For one South American football expert, Chelsea may have hit the jackpot after landing Estevao Willian.

Chelsea agreed to sign Estevao from Palmeiras last year, with the winger set to officially join the Blues after the Club World Cup.

Both Palmeiras and Chelsea are currently competing at the tournament, where Estevao is shining. Estevao has won two player of the match awards already after brilliant performances against Al Ahly and Porto.

The 18-year-old is showing how he earned the nickname “Messinho”, but Tim Vickery thinks he is more similar to another South American footballer than Lionel Messi.

• READ MORE: Future superstar Estevao Willian sends five-word message to Chelsea fans after starring at Club World Cup

Tim Vickery compares Estevao Willian to Rodrygo

Like Messi, Estevao is also left-footed, but Vickery feels Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is a more appropriate player to compare him to.

“Perhaps a more exact comparison is Rodrygo of Real Madrid,” Vickery told Sky Sports. “Estevao is a left-footed version of him. Slightly built, very fluid. It’s like he’s on water when he’s carrying the ball — full of changes of pace and rhythm.”

It is not a bad comparison, with Rodrygo being an exceptional attacker in his own right. He scored 14 goals for Real Madrid last season and 17 the campaign before.

Being Estevao’s Brazil teammate, he is definitely someone whom the Palmeiras star is likely to look up to.

Enzo Maresca would love to have either player in his squad right now, with Chelsea lacking wide options. Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended, while the club have not replaced Jadon Sancho following his exit.

Chelsea did give signing Jamie Gittens a go before the Club World Cup started but could not reach an agreement with Borussia Dortmund over a transfer fee.

Chelsea’s interest in signing Rodrygo

At one point, it looked like there was a possibility of Rodrygo and Estevao playing in the same Chelsea team under Maresca.

Earlier this month, it was claimed that Chelsea had been in contact with Rodrygo’s representatives. However, the Blues’ priority appears to be Gittens, who is unlikely to cost as much as Rodrygo.

There is a long way to go before the transfer window closes. It is not impossible that Chelsea make a move for Rodrygo. Right now, though, he does not seem to be a top target for the club.