Estevao Willian reveals desired shirt number at Chelsea, comments on Thiago Silva conversation

The 17-year-old missed out on winning the Brasileiro title with Palmeiras on Sunday evening as Botafogo earned a pivotal 2-1 victory over Sao Paulo.

Despite that disappointment, Estevao was still awarded two accolades for his extraordinary first campaign in Brazil's top flight as he contributed 13 goals and nine assists from just 31 matches.

Estevao will now enjoy a rest period ahead of continuing to represent Palmeiras for the first half of the 2025 campaign, while he will also spend time in London to help with his acclimatisation to England.

In an interview with ESPN Brasil, Estevao has revealed what squad number he hopes to wear when he eventually represents Chelsea in the future.

"That would be cool"

The Brazil international has been wearing the number 41 shirt at Palmeiras, his choice for a lower number out of his hands given his lack of seniority when first being promoted to the first-team ranks.

While the starlet has insisted that he does not have a preference, Estevao acknowledges that he would be open to continuing to wear the same number at Chelsea.

He said: "I don't have (a preference), but I really like 41. If I have 41 that would be cool too." No-one player in Chelsea's squad currently occupies that number.

However, that could potentially change as soon as Thursday with Enzo Maresca seemingly ready to promote six academy players to his first-team squad for the trip to face Astana in Kazakhstan in the Conference League.

Estevao reveals Silva conversation

At a time when Estevao was experiencing frustration on Sunday evening, Chelsea legend Thiago Silva was celebrating having led Fluminense to a 1-0 victory over Palmeiras that ensured that they avoided relegation.

Speaking to the same outlet, Estevao revealed that he briefly spoke to the veteran who only left the Premier League earlier this year.

Estevao added: "Thiago Silva spoke to me in that last game. He said that the club is top and they are waiting for me with open arms."

Reports have indicated that Chelsea currently plan to keep Estevao at the club for the 2025-26 campaign.

Written by

Darren Plant