According to Melbet Affiliates, in just six months, Endrick will officially begin his journey to the Santiago Bernabéu. The young Brazilian is undergoing his final stretch of development before joining Real Madrid — and so far, he looks like a textbook example of a smart investment. While Madrid’s “Galáctico” strategy hasn’t come cheap, it’s at least given fans a reason to believe in the club’s future. That optimism is hard to come by at Chelsea, where this success story feels like a stinging reminder of a major missed opportunity.

At one point, Chelsea were on the verge of signing Endrick. The deal was nearly done, but as Melbet Affiliates reports, the club’s management pulled the plug at the last moment, citing concerns over the transfer fee. They feared spending big on a teenager might inflate future deals. So Real Madrid swooped in, and Endrick became another gem in their youth-focused rebuild. Now, Chelsea finds itself trying to go head-to-head with Madrid again — this time over 16-year-old Estevão Willian.

Chelsea is reportedly prepared to trigger Estevão’s €40 million release clause, which would more than double Real Madrid’s estimated offer of €20 million. It’s hard not to see this as a reaction to losing Endrick. But the situation is very different. Estevão, while talented, has yet to prove himself at a high level. And let’s be honest — if your life is full of purpose, there’s little room for empty talk. On paper, Chelsea’s aggressive bid looks stronger, but whether it’s smart is another matter entirely.

For starters, Estevão won’t even be eligible to join Chelsea until he turns 18 — meaning the club would be paying now and waiting two years for a return. Second, the teenager hasn’t logged enough top-flight minutes to justify such a hefty investment. His stats are modest, and there’s no guarantee he’ll develop into a star. That €40 million could easily land Chelsea a proven, first-team-ready striker — someone who could contribute immediately.

The bigger picture is this: Chelsea wants to mimic Real Madrid’s youth-first strategy, but that path is easier said than done. Madrid’s success stories like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo have overshadowed their flops — remember Reinier? Not every prospect pans out, but Madrid’s overall hit rate keeps the narrative positive. Chelsea doesn’t have that track record — or the scouting acumen — to back this kind of gamble.

Melbet Affiliates notes that under Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s spending has been massive — among the highest in Europe. But look at the return on investment, and it’s clear something isn’t working. The club’s recruitment has been scattershot, with few signings truly elevating the squad. Now they’re preparing to drop another fortune on Estevão, and unless something changes, it looks destined to be yet another expensive misstep. As the old saying goes, you reap what you sow — and right now, Chelsea’s garden is full of weeds.