Brazil assistant Ancelotti backs Chelsea’s Estevao as World Cup surprise
Brazil assistant coach Davide Ancelotti has tipped 18-year-old Chelsea winger Estevao Willian to be the breakout star of this summer’s World Cup in North America.
The former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid assistant manager will form part of his father Carlo’s backroom staff for the upcoming tournament.
“The guy that will surprise you is someone that is not so well known,” Ancelotti told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues podcast.
“We have a lot of attacking players, but if I have to give you a name, Estevao is one of the rising talents of Brazil.”
Chelsea’s rising star making an impact
The highly rated teenager has already scored eight goals and provided four assists in 34 appearances since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
He joined the Premier League side from Palmeiras last summer for an initial fee of £29m.
A recent hamstring injury kept the forward out of international friendlies against France and Croatia in March.
However, the explosive attacker marked his return to full fitness by scoring in a comprehensive 7-0 FA Cup victory against Port Vale last weekend.
“He is a really good finisher, so he is someone that can dominate in Europe as a talent for the next years,” added Ancelotti.
Neymar’s World Cup hopes remain alive
Estevao’s dream of playing alongside his childhood idol Neymar at the global showpiece remains in the balance.
The 33-year-old veteran was omitted from the latest national team squad following a persistent struggle with muscle injuries.
The former Paris St-Germain playmaker returned to Santos in January to help his boyhood club avoid relegation but has not represented his country since 2023.
“At the end, it is a decision of the manager that he will take and he has time to take it,” Ancelotti explained.
“Of course, he is the top scorer of the national team and he has a chance to try to get into the list.”
The legendary forward remains his nation’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances, sitting ahead of greats like Pele and Ronaldo.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti will announce his final tournament squad on 18 May.
