Estevao Willian transfer value sky rockets ahead of Chelsea Club World Cup meeting

Adding an extra layer of intrigue to Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup quarter final clash with Palmeiras is Estevao Willian.

The Blues agreed a staggering €57 million (£48m) package for the 18-year-old over one year ago, a decision that was questioned as he had only made 23 senior club appearances in Brazil. Four goals and three assists was his return at that time.

But fast-forward to the present day and Estevao already appears to be making Chelsea's investment look a smart one.

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The teenager has now accumulated 82 appearances in total, scoring 26 goals and assisting 15. The latest of these have come over in the United States at the ongoing Club World Cup.

Before the tournament began last month, the CIES Football Observatory database showed the winger to have an estimated transfer value between €68m (£57m) and €86m (£72m). In the space of one short month in which the opening four matches of the Club World Cup have taken place, that value has been boosted up to between €74m (£63m) and €96m (£82m).

That marks a significant €10m (£8.6m) increase.

After topping their group containing Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and beating Brazilian rivals Botafogo in the last-16, Palmeiras have set up a showdown with Enzo Maresca's men in Philadelphia.

Estevao is eligible to feature and manager Abel Ferreira was understandably inundated with questions about his young star during his pre-match press conference at the Lincoln Financial Field.

"I hope he gives his best for the owners of Chelsea - he has potential and lots of quality," he said. "It will be an opportunity for him to show how good he is.

"We helped him to grow as a man, as a professional, it can be a good moment to give him the goodbye with one amazing game. Maybe he can score a goal to say goodbye to our fans," Ferreira wished.

He added: "We, him and the club - everyone knew this could happen during the negotiations.

"Everyone knew he could play. So he will do what he does. I don’t have to say anything. He has to do his job. He won’t play alone. Nobody plays alone in my team.

"We play as a team. We work together. We lose and win together. He will do what he always does. As long as he is playing with us, he has this commitment with us and once he finishes his commitments with Palmeiras, he is free to start with his new club."

Long before the tournament and tonight's quarter final it was confirmed that Estevao would play for his boyhood club before linking up with his new employers afterwards this month.

It will be a tight turnaround for the Blues should they reach the Club World Cup final on Sunday, July 13 as players will have little time to rest between getting prepared for the new Premier League season beginning on Sunday, August 17 vs Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.