Former Arsenal scout Sandro Orlandelli has suggested that Chelsea can learn lessons from the Gunners with regards to how to handle the development of South American talent.

Headlined by the deal that has been struck for Estevao Willian, Chelsea have placed considerable emphasis on adding prospects from that part of the world to their stable of players.

Andrey Santos, Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington have been acquired from Brazilian clubs, while Aaron Anselmino and Kendry Paez have been signed from Boca Juniors and Independiente del Valle respectively.

If reports are to be believed, both Estevao and Paez can expect to feature in the Chelsea senior squad in 2025-26, while Santos has staked his claim through performances made on loan at Strasbourg.

However, speaking to PL Brasil, Orlandelli explained why he feels that Chelsea should not necessarily be so eager to use Estevao as an option in Enzo Maresca's ranks as soon as he makes the move to England next summer.

Estevao remains star prospect in Brazil

Still just 17 years of age, there was the feeling that Estevao's form may tail off after making such an impact during his early appearances in Brasileiro.

Instead, the minor injuries that he has suffered have seemingly proven to be a blessing in disguise in handing him a breather, with Estevao contributing six goals and four assists from his last eight league outings.

In total, 12 goals and eight assists have come from 27 top-flight appearances, with history being made on Friday night courtesy of Estevao scoring the only goal of the game in a win over Gremio.

Estevao was on hand to tap home from close to become the first player under 18 years of age to contribute at least 20 goals or assists in a single edition of the Brasileirao.

Nevertheless, Orlandelli has claimed that Chelsea should give consideration to using Estevao in their Under-21 ranks before exposing him to the Premier League.

Orlandelli - who was a scout for Arsenal between 2002 and 2011 - has suggested that lessons can be learned from Arsenal's failure to give players of a similar profile enough time to adapt to the rigours of English football.

The 55-year-old said: "What we learned from experience: we missed the opportunity for players to have the adaptability of culture. English football, the Premier League, is a very particular culture.

"It is the most physical league on the planet, it demands high-intensity and in a higher quantity than any other league.

"No matter how technical the player is, this ends up having an impact if he is unable to absorb the type of rhythm that the PL requires

He added: "It's difficult for a player to play for the first team when they're from a completely different league, which is Brazilian football.

"It's not that he doesn't have the conditions, it's that he needs that time to adapt. Being able to have this draft with guidance on the U21 team, I think it would be a great way to go".

Which South American players arrived at Arsenal under Orlandelli?

Gilberto Silva was an anomaly to Orlandelli's suggested approach. The midfield enforcer had only experienced Brazilian football with America Mineiro and Atletico Mineiro when he arrived in North London in 2002.

Silva made 67 Premier League appearances during his opening two seasons, playing a key role in Arsene Wenger's Invincibles during 2003-04.

For the rest, though, it was a different story, with only Denilson coming anywhere near to meeting expectations after joining from Sao Paulo in 2006.

Scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists from 153 appearances across a five-year period was a respectable feat, but 37 of his 96 Premier League outings came during one campaign (2008-09) as Arsenal fell short in four tournaments.

Denilson was 18 upon his arrival and did not play in a single reserve fixture in the first 12 months. On the flip side, he benefitted from starting six EFL Cup fixtures, including the final that was lost to Chelsea.

In 2010, Arsenal signed Samuel Galindo from Bolivian side Real America, but rather than feature for Arsenal's second-string, the playmaker went straight on loan to UD Salamanca and would never represent the Gunners in a competitive match, senior or reserve.

The same applied occurred with Wellington Silva, although the blame cannot necessarily be placed at the door of Arsenal after the relevant authorities deemed that the former Fluminense prospect did not qualify for a work permit.

Wellington's first taste of senior English football did not come until four years later with Championship side Bolton Wanderers. Wenger was ultimately not sufficiently impressed and the attacker would return to Fluminense in 2016.

Although Costa Rica does not fall under the jurisdiction of South America, Joel Campbell was another player to miss out on a work permit, his first Arsenal appearance not coming until three years after his arrival.

Prior to being unleashed in the Premier League, the midfielder - now a legendary footballing figure in his country - was handed just one game with Arsenal Under-21s, his 40 outings for the club then being spread across two campaigns before his departure.