Chelsea have since won the race for Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, and according to his agent, Andre Cury, the club’s vision for his development played a key role in his decision to move to Stamford Bridge.

Speaking about the highly rated 17-year-old, Cury revealed that Chelsea were the only club that viewed Estevao as a natural number 10 rather than a winger—a crucial factor in the youngster’s decision.

“It was the only club that saw us as number 10, to play in midfield. I may be wrong, but we will have the opportunity. I think we will be right, so that was also something that weighed heavily.”

Despite playing mostly as a winger for Palmeiras, Cury believes Estevao’s best position is centrally, where he can fully express his creative ability.

“In my opinion, he plays as a 10. Palmeiras like to put him on the wing. I think it’s too narrow for a player of that quality, I think that… like all players of that quality in the world, he’s usually the number 10, so the number 10 plays inside.”

Chelsea’s long-term project under Enzo Maresca has clearly made an impression, and Estevao’s arrival adds to the club’s growing collection of top young talents. With the Blues offering him a central role, fans will be eager to see if he can live up to the billing as their next creative maestro.