It’s rare that a teenager sets the football world abuzz in both club and international arenas, but Chelsea’s Estevao Willian is doing just that—and then some. In the span of a whirlwind week, the 18-year-old winger has gone from scoring a dramatic winner at Stamford Bridge to netting a dazzling brace for Brazil, all while earning praise from teammates, coaches, and even rivals. The excitement is palpable, and with every match, Estevao’s legend seems to grow.
Let’s rewind to last Saturday, when Chelsea faced Liverpool in a Premier League clash that had fans on the edge of their seats. With the score locked at 1-1 and the clock ticking down, it was Estevao who seized the moment. The teenager’s late strike secured a 2-1 victory for the Blues, sending the Stamford Bridge faithful into raptures. That last-minute winner wasn’t just a goal—it was a statement. For someone so young, Estevao already looks like a player who lives for the big moments.
But the story didn’t end there. Less than a week later, Estevao traded Chelsea blue for Brazil’s iconic yellow, starting in a friendly against South Korea. If there were any doubts about his readiness for the international stage, he put them to rest in emphatic fashion. Estevao opened the scoring with a well-timed run into the box, showing composure and poise beyond his years. He added his second—and Brazil’s third—by pressuring defenders and finishing coolly from close range. By the final whistle, Brazil had romped to a 5-0 win, and Estevao had written his name into the record books as the youngest player since 1961 to score a brace for the Seleção.
“I can only be grateful for this moment, good things are coming,” Estevao told Brazilian outlet Rede Globo, as quoted by ESPN Brasil. “You have to have that coolness (in front of the goal), I was happy, but I can only thank God.” It’s that humility, combined with undeniable talent, that has endeared him to fans and pundits alike.
Estevao’s meteoric rise hasn’t gone unnoticed in the Chelsea dressing room. Veteran defender Trevoh Chalobah summed it up in one word: “Baller.” According to WhoScored, Estevao has no significant weaknesses in his game, a rare feat for any player—let alone a teenager. Through nine appearances for Chelsea this season, he’s already notched a goal and an assist, and his influence on the pitch keeps growing.
Of course, it’s not just club supporters who are taking notice. Manchester United and Brazil midfielder Casemiro offered both praise and a word of caution. “He’s a young player, we can’t put too much pressure on him,” Casemiro said. “It’s very important to say this, even with him, we have to emphasise this. Because we know of countless players who, if you put pressure on them, their performance drops. He plays for Chelsea, he’s a starter for Chelsea, in the most competitive league in the world, but we have to take it slow, calmly.” It’s sage advice, especially given the intense spotlight that comes with Premier League and international stardom.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca seems to be taking that advice to heart. While Estevao has featured in nine matches across all competitions this season, he’s started only four, with the rest coming as substitute appearances. There’s a sense that Maresca is carefully managing the teenager’s development, ensuring that he’s not overburdened during these crucial early months. And yet, with injuries to key players like Cole Palmer—who’s expected to be out until November—Estevao’s importance to the squad has only grown.
“It’s incredible,” Estevao said, reflecting on the support he’s received from Chelsea fans. “In the last game, when I was warming up, you could feel that people expect something from me, I’m very happy about that. I try to repay it on the field and make them proud. I can see how much they value me and want me there. My feeling is that I can’t let them down, I want to help and make them proud.”
Adapting to a new country, league, and style of play is no small feat, but Estevao credits his smooth transition to the people around him. “Things at Chelsea have gone a lot better so far than I maybe imagined. I feel so good in training every day and I enjoy every moment. I have fantastic teammates and coaching staff around me that help me each day, and it is very helpful that I have my family with me and they’ve helped me really settle into life in England and the Premier League. I couldn’t be happier!”
One figure who’s played a pivotal role in Estevao’s adaptation is Maresca. Despite not speaking Portuguese, the Italian manager has gone out of his way to connect with his young star, using Spanish to bridge the language gap. “Maresca makes a point of speaking Spanish with me. To understand me, to get me. I think that’s really cool of him. And I listen to what he says. I think he’s an incredible person, human being, and coach. I have no complaints about him. He makes a point of talking to me all the time. To get the best out of me. So I can give my best on the pitch. So, the relationship I have with him is incredible.”
It’s not just Estevao carrying the Brazilian flag at Stamford Bridge. Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos have both impressed in the early stages of the season. Pedro, in particular, has been in fine form, scoring three goals in three matches at the Club World Cup and adding two goals and three assists in the first seven league games. Santos, meanwhile, has been a valuable midfield option, showing patience and promise as he awaits more opportunities.
With 92 senior club appearances and eight Brazil caps already under his belt, Estevao’s experience belies his age. But with Chelsea facing a grueling seven-match schedule between October 18 and November 8, Maresca may need to balance the urge to unleash his prodigy with the need to protect him from burnout or injury—a delicate dance for any manager.
As Estevao prepares to stay with Brazil for another friendly against Japan on October 14 before returning to London for Chelsea’s clash with Nottingham Forest on October 18, the buzz around him shows no signs of fading. The teenager’s blend of humility, skill, and maturity is winning admirers on both sides of the Atlantic. With the season still young and so many big matches ahead, Chelsea fans—and football lovers everywhere—will be watching closely to see just how high Estevao Willian can soar.
For now, the story is still unfolding. With every match, Estevao is writing a new chapter, and the football world is eagerly turning the pages.
