New Chelsea signing Estevao Willian left the field in tears after suffering an injury for Palmeiras on Saturday night.
Earlier this summer, Chelsea agreed to purchase the 17-year-old from Brazilian club Palmeiras for €34 million (£28.7 million) and a further €23 million (£19.4 million) in add-ons.
The Brazilian will not join Chelsea until next year, when he turns 18, but the club has already identified Estevao as an offensive prospect who can compete for a spot in the first squad right away.
Chelsea, however, may be worried because Estevao’s most recent Palmeiras debut ended prematurely when he was substituted off during the team’s 2-0 loss to Vitoria on Saturday.
Before making a comeback this weekend, Estevao had just recently healed from injuries to his left ankle and knee.
Quero nem imaginar disputar copa do Brasil e Libertadores sem o Estêvão…
— Central da SEP | Fan Account (@CentralDaSEP) July 27, 2024
But Estevao has now suffered a fresh setback as he rolled his left ankle during an attacking move on Palmeiras’ right flank.
Estevao stayed down for over a minute before he received treatment from Palmeiras’ medical staff. He was immediately replaced and was forced to leave the side of the pitch on a buggy.
Estevao was seen in tears with his shirt over his face as he spoke with Palmeiras’ medical team on the side of the pitch.
Estêvão com a mão no rosto, chorando e saindo mancando com auxílio dos médicos.
Aparentemente sentiu o mesmo tornozelo que já havia machucado. Vamos aguardar para ver se é algo mais sério. #Palmeiras pic.twitter.com/c8JFvBDMyt
— Marcella Azevedo (@ma_azevedo94) July 27, 2024
When asked about Estevao’s injury after his side’s defeat, Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira said: ‘It’s worrying.
‘Above all, we had losses in the defensive sector, we have fewer options without Murilo and Piquerez.
‘It’s a shame that this happened. Football is like that, he had already been out and we could force him in the last game with the intention of him getting into rhythm for the next game.
‘I don’t know how serious it is, but it’s sad. Losing another option, we’ve already lost a few and this one could mean another one because of today’s injury.’
Estevao is now an early doubt for the first leg of Palmeiras’ Copa do Brasil’s last-16 tie against Flamengo next Thursday.