Enzo Maresca sends message to Estevao Willian ahead of Chelsea move

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has confirmed the club are delighted with the development of Estevao Willian.

The teenager will next summer move to Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras for an initial £29m, though that could rise to as high as £51m if the criteria for various add-ons are met.

Should all the add-ons be met, Willian would become the most expensive Brazilian teenager in history.

Dubbed ‘Little Messi’ in his native Brazil, Willian is one of the most highly rated talents in South American football.

Brazilian great Neymar has tipped the 17-year-old to go on to big things, hailing him as a “genius” ahead of his Premier League switch next summer.

Blues bosses have consistently targeted young South American talent during their time in charge. The likes of Andrey Santos, Deivid Washington, Angelo and Kendry Paez have all been recruited, while Endrick was a target before his move to Real Madrid.

Willian has scored four goals while registering two assists in his last four games, taking his tally up to 15 goals and 10 assists in 41 appearances for the year thus far.

There is a belief Willian could go on to become a generational talent, although he will undoubtedly face competition for a starting berth at Chelsea next season.

Asked about the player following Saturday’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth, Maresca said: “Yes, we are following him. He is doing fantastic - but, unfortunately, he is doing fantastic there and not with us.

"We are going to wait until next summer when he will arrive here but, for sure, we are very happy in the way he is doing these things."