The inevitable has happened – Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian, on loan back at his old team Palmeiras until the end of the season in Brazil, has picked up an injury.
The winger starter last night against Botafogo in the Brazilian top flight but was replaced in the 81st minute of the 1-0 defeat, limping off with pain all over his face.
Sources in Brazil are playing down the severity of the problem. UOL report that Palmeiras are “optimistic about a quick recovery” and that the physios “understand that the injuries are not serious and do not require surgery.”
It’s going to be “conversative treatment” for the 17 year old, who will miss “the next weeks” as he recovers. They point to sprains in the knee and ankle, but it certainly seemed to be the latter that was the focus of the physios’ attentions on the pitch.
Chelsea’s deal to buy Willian for £51.7m, agreed at the start of this month, contains various incentives based on what he does in his remaining time back on loan at Palmeiras, so the youngster has continued to be a regular in their first team even after completing the move. This is the risk of that.
![Estevao Willian scores another goal.](https://icdn.chelsea.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Estevao-Willian-scores-another-goal..jpg)
An important stage of physio
The important thing is that surgery isn’t required, and the elastic limbed youngster should recovery fully with a few weeks off and some physio. But one should never be blasé, even about a simple sprain. They can really stick around, and if not allowed to heal properly they can become a recurrent issue.
There will the temptation for Palmeiras to run the kid into the ground given they know they’ve only got him on their books for another year, but he and those who look after him will hopefully ensure that no risks are taken. The season in Brazil has a long way to run, and we hope to see him playing many more games for the Verdao.
No problem here Chelsea is a club who sprays the cash on any deal without checking on players fitness. Lavia, Forana, Nkunku are bought and still on sick bed from day one.
In my opinion, Nkuku and Lavia should be sold to finance the transfer deal of New Castle super striker (Isak)…
Gallagher should be sold, don’t just buy for sake of buying you buy to develop so wait till they are