‘He’s going to be special’ – why so much is expected of Estevao

Estevao Willian first started playing football in England at this time.

Estevao scored a 95th-minute winner to give Chelsea a 2-1 win over Premier League leaders Liverpool after more than 16 months since a deal was reached to bring the teenager from Palmeiras to Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Maresca, Blues manager, was given a red card for running 50 yards in celebration with his teammates after the goal sparked such emotion.

Former England international Wayne Rooney, a pundit on Saturday’s Match of the Day, said: “For an 18-year-old, he’s a special talent and could develop into a really top player.

“I believe he’s the kind of winger that Chelsea fans will aspire to see play every week,” he said.

Chelsea found a way to win, with Estevao providing the decisive moment despite the injury that left two more central defenders on Saturday and the absence of Cole Palmer as the star attacker.

The Brazilian slammed in at the back post to tap in Marc Cucurella’s low cross, which was surprisingly straightforward.

However, Estevao, who was substituted in the 75th minute, had already created two chances for team-mates, including a cross that Enzo Fernandez headed against the post.

Previous matches showed Estevao’s level of quality, with his variety of nutmegs, movies, and other eye-catching moments giving the crowds’ gasps.

Estevao had already established himself as a top player for one of Brazil’s biggest clubs and had already won seven caps for the country under the leadership of legendary former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Since joining the club world cup after the summer’s end, it is understandable that he has taken a little longer to settle in England.

After Maresca received a red card, Chelsea assistant coach Willy Caballero said, “We know that a young player can suffer when he moves from another country to settle down here and play for this club.”

“First of all, the players are doing a fantastic job of getting the new players to participate. And we work when given the chance.

Because he understands, I can communicate with him in Spanish most of the time. And he’s a fantastic child. And we’re so happy for him because he needs a goal as well, just like we do.

Pat Nevin, a former Chelsea winger, thinks Estevao will be “special.”

On BBC Radio 5 Live, Nevin said, “Every time any Chelsea player gets the ball, they try to find Estevao.” That tells you a player’s story.

Since signing Estevao more than a year prior to his eventual arrival at Chelsea, senior Chelsea officials have been expressing excitement over his arrival.

In fitting fashion, Estevao made his final appearance for Palmeiras this summer, scoring a brilliant goal from a close range against Chelsea in a losing cause.

In 83 games, he scored 27 goals and added 15 assists for the Sao Paulo-based club.

In what appeared to be a moment of respect between peers, he was seen mingling with his future team-mates, including England playmaker Palmer.

Brazilian football experts have long predicted Estevao for the top, even though that game was perhaps his first glimpse into the English public.

In Brazil’s Serie A, he broke Neymar’s record of 20 goals and eight assists in a single season as a player under the age of 18, breaking Neymar’s record.

He twice won “superior player of the match” at the Club World Cup and, fittingly, impressed against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, where he was nicknamed “Little Messi” in Brazil.

Chelsea’s victory over Paris St-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich was seen as a coup, according to Estevao.

He chose Chelsea because he wanted a significant role in his first season and because he wanted to represent Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.

Before choosing Chelsea in 2024, Estevao consulted former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva.

Although the Blues had intended to gradually ease him in, Palmer’s injury and Estevao’s skill have allowed him to play in every game, aside from the draw with Brentford, which he missed due to illness.

After the international break, Palmer hopes to recover from a persistent groin issue.