Chelsea win transfer battle for Crystal Palace youngster
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The Blues have continued their habit of signing teenagers and turning them into world beaters. Just this summer, the Blues will welcome Estêvão Willian and Kendry Paez (both 18) to Stamford Bridge. Whilst the former is expected to get playing time, the latter will most likely be sent out on loan.
Despite the overpopulated squad that they have, reports are linking the Blues with another signing.
Meanwhile, the fans are excited about the forthcoming season as they have been getting their Chelsea tickets.
Chelsea Set to Sign Another Youngster
Chelsea are set to bolster their youth ranks with the signing of 18-year-old Crystal Palace winger Jesse Derry, after reportedly reaching an agreement, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer expert reports the Blues have beaten "eight other European clubs" to his signature.
Derry appeared poised to join a German club, but Chelsea have swooped in to hijack the deal, with the winger now set to move to West London. After the expiration of his contract at Crystal Palace, Derry left the club and has been looking for an offer elsewhere.
At the time, reports from Football Insider indicated that he had received offers from both England and Germany, ultimately choosing to sign a contract with a Bundesliga club - though the specific team was not disclosed.
Reports also revealed that talks had reached an advanced stage with the said German club in early July; however, things have taken a U-turn.
Crystal Palace would have received only a modest compensation fee of approximately £300,000 if Derry had opted for a move overseas. However, Fabrizio Romano has not disclosed the amount the Eagles will now receive following the young winger's impending transfer to Stamford Bridge.
The teenager scored nine goals and assisted once in eight games in the under-18 Premier League last term.
Chelsea have many attackers in the team already, so playing time might be difficult to come by in the first team for Derry should he complete the move. So, he is most likely to be sent out on loan to aid his development.
'Chelsea Move Means Everything'
"It means everything," new Chelsea signing Estêvão told ESPN Brasil on his switch to Chelsea. "It's a dream come true for me.
"I've always dreamed of playing in Europe alongside the best. Playing in important competitions, such as the Champions League and the Premier League. It's a dream come true. It will be very important for my life.
"It's a dream of mine and my family's. It will be an incredible opportunity to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. And I hope to get there and adapt as quickly as possible. I want to play. It's the thing I love doing most, what I enjoy most."
He added: "Of course, I know I will have difficulties, but I will be with my family, who are the pillar of my life. It will be an important step for me and my family. I hope it will be the best possible way. London, Chelsea... it couldn't be better."
The youngster went ahead to speak about his expectations of going to the FIFA Club World Cup at the time.
"I just hope it goes as well as possible. We are aware of the difficulties of the [Club] World Cup. But we also know the worth of our team. We have very high expectations," he said.
"We know the strength and character of our team, but we also know what we are going to face, with enormous challenges. My mind is very calm.
"I am very eager to represent Palmeiras in this competition, which is so big for the whole world. It will be an incredible opportunity to show my potential in these last moments at Palmeiras."
Palmeiras were knocked out by eventual champions Chelsea at the quarterfinal stage of the FIFA Club World Cup, with Estêvão scoring against the Blues in the 2-1 defeat.
Cucurella Not Pleased with Madueke Decision
Whilst speaking to Gerard Moreno during a Q&A session with young players at his academy in Spain, Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella was asked whether he found Madueke's decision to leave on the eve of the Club World Cup final to be unusual.
He replied: "Yes, I think so. I think he missed a good opportunity (although) he wasn't playing as a starter. I do think it was because of everything that was happening regarding his future and in the end I think it could have delayed him a couple of days since he left a day early or something like that.
"It wouldn't have cost him anything to wait for that next day. In the end I think he missed a pretty good opportunity."
Noni Madueke played a key role in Chelsea's impressive run in the competition, appearing in five of their six matches. However, he was absent from the final after opting to leave early. In his place, Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer started on the wings during the Blues' commanding 3-0 victory.
2024 European Championship winner Marc Cucurella also revealed that he was "scared to death" when US President Donald Trump unexpectedly showed up during Chelsea's trophy celebrations.
He explained to Spanish journalist Romero: "We had been told that, as a rule, Donald Trump would come to present us with the trophy and that we couldn't lift it until he left.
"And of course, we were all there waiting for him to leave, but the guy didn't want to leave, and on top of that, we looked at him and he said, "Get him up, I'll stay here, and so on. And I wondered who would say anything to him, you know... I was scared s***less!"
Many expected the Commander-in-Chief to leave the stage after presenting the trophy to Chelsea captain James, as tradition dictates. But in a surprising turn, Trump stayed on stage throughout the team's trophy celebrations, leaving several Chelsea players visibly puzzled.
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