Chelsea facing awkward reunion with £51m transfer after Cole Palmer put on alert

Chelsea are facing an awkward reunion with new signing Estevao Willian as the teenager's current side, Palmeiras, have set up a quarter-final showdown with the Blues at the Club World Cup. The two sides will go head-to-head in the last eight on Saturday night.

Chelsea secured Estevao's signature a year ago and agreed to take him to Stamford Bridge following the conclusion of the Club World Cup. They stumped up an initial £29million for the 18-year-old, with the add-ons expected to take the total fee to £51m. And Estevao may be given the opportunity to show his new employers exactly what he has to offer after starting all four of Palmeiras' Club World Cup matches ahead of the quarters.

Chelsea booked their place in the last eight after defeating Benfica 4-1 in the last-16.

The English team needed extra time to overcome their Portuguese opponents after players were forced off the pitch 86 minutes into the clash to shelter from a lightning storm which delayed the encounter for two hours.

Palmeiras, meanwhile, retained their hopes of lifting the trophy after defeating Brazilian rivals Botafogo in their first knockout match. The 12-time Brazilian champions are yet to lose in the tournament, having picked up one victory and two draws in the group stages.

Estevao has already featured for 296 minutes in the USA, although he hasn't been able to register any goals or assists yet. And he will be desperate to shine against the Blues if he plays.

The teenager can play anywhere in attack and has been utilised on the left and right as well as through the centre during the Club World Cup. But, according to talkSPORT, the youngster wants to play as a No. 10 when he joins Chelsea.

Cole Palmer will be on alert after those claims as the Englishman has starred for the Blues in the same position since swapping Manchester City for Stamford Bridge two summers ago.

And he may be unwilling to share game time with his new team-mate, with the rivalry for starting places likely to be as intense as ever in west London next season due to the Blues' bloated squad.

Maresca was frustrated with the two-hour delay his players were forced to contend with on Saturday evening.

And pointing to other delays at the Club World Cup due to the weather, the Italian hissed: "It's a joke. That's why I said it - if they've already suspended six games, probably there is something that is not working.

"I'm not here to decide the rule [to take players off]. I'm no one to decide the rule. I'm the last one. I'm talking as a manager. As a manager, it's difficult to manage two hours suspended."