Estevao Willian’s arrival at Chelsea in the summer of 2025 was met with a fair bit of excitement, and it’s safe to say the Brazilian teenager hasn’t disappointed. In just a handful of appearances, Estevao has not only justified the hype that preceded his move to Stamford Bridge, but he’s also given Chelsea supporters plenty of reasons to believe the club’s future is in good hands. Still, as the buzz around him grows louder, both manager Enzo Maresca and the player himself are taking a measured approach—balancing expectation with development, and pressure with patience.
At just 18 years old, Estevao has already experienced the rollercoaster of English football, scoring a dramatic match-winning goal against Liverpool in a crucial Premier League clash. Coming off the bench with just 15 minutes of normal time left, he electrified Stamford Bridge with a stoppage-time strike that secured all three points for the Blues. "It’s an amazing feeling to score my first Premier League goal and in such a big game, I’m just so happy. I feel great right now and it’s so good that the manager has so much confidence in me," Estevao told Chelsea’s official website, his joy evident even through a translator.
That confidence from Maresca is no accident. Since taking the reins at Chelsea, the Italian manager has been methodical in how he integrates Estevao into the squad. Rather than thrusting the teenager into the spotlight, Maresca has preferred to gradually ease him into the team, rotating him through various attacking roles during training and matches. "At Chelsea, I’ve been changing positions frequently," Estevao explained to the media. "Maresca always tries to get the best out of me. Even in training, he’s been putting me in different attacking roles so I can have more repertoire, more game awareness. In the last match against Liverpool, I came on as a winger. And in the last Champions League game I played through the middle."
This willingness to adapt and learn has endeared Estevao to the coaching staff and fans alike. He’s open to whatever is asked of him, saying, "Whatever position is available, I’ll do it, inside or out wide." That versatility has been a key asset for Chelsea, especially given the club’s abundance of attacking options and the need to keep things fresh in a long, demanding season.
Despite his heroics against Liverpool and some eye-catching displays, Estevao’s playing time has been carefully managed. So far in the 2025–26 Premier League campaign, he has logged 265 minutes out of a possible 630, with four starts and two substitute appearances. In Europe, Maresca has also restricted him to cameo roles in Chelsea’s Champions League matches, and he was named on the bench for the Carabao Cup victory over Lincoln City. The idea is clear: don’t overload the youngster, especially as he adapts to a new country, a new league, and the intense physical and tactical demands of English football.
Maresca has been vocal about his philosophy regarding young talents like Estevao. Back during Chelsea’s 13-day pre-season tour, he addressed the need for patience and support. "We need to pay a little bit more attention, because first of all he's from the other part of the world and also he's very, very young," Maresca said. "So we need to pay attention. As I said, [he is] not under pressure, give him happiness, give him time, he needs to adapt. Hopefully we can give him minutes, so he's even more happy. But for sure, he's a talented player. For me, the biggest mistake we can do is to put him under pressure. He's very young, he needs to adapt."
It’s a strategy that’s resonated with club insiders and observers. Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, reflecting on Estevao’s progress, highlighted the risks of overexposure for young players. "Young players can easily be damaged by overexposure," Caballero noted, emphasizing the importance of gradual integration. The club is clearly mindful of cautionary tales elsewhere, such as Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who, despite being the same age as Estevao, has already racked up an eye-watering 8,000 minutes over two seasons. Such heavy workloads at a young age can take a toll, and Maresca is determined not to repeat that mistake at Chelsea.
On the pitch, Estevao’s impact has been undeniable. His match-winning goal against Liverpool was not only a testament to his talent but also to his composure under pressure. Before sending Stamford Bridge into jubilation, Maresca offered him simple but empowering advice: "When I went on, he told me to just play my own game and to try and make an impact. He told me to try and score or create a goal and thankfully I managed to do that. I’m so happy for him and for all the belief that the manager, Enzo Maresca, has in me." That trust is clearly mutual, and it’s fueling Estevao’s rapid development.
Off the field, Estevao’s value is rising almost as quickly as his stock among fans. Having joined Chelsea for a €45 million transfer fee, his Estimated Transfer Value has already soared to €76.3 million—nearly double the club’s initial outlay. With Maresca continuing to experiment with his best role and Estevao responding to every challenge, there’s every reason to believe his value could climb even higher in the weeks to come.
Of course, Chelsea’s ambitions extend beyond nurturing young stars. The club is reportedly eyeing defensive reinforcements for the January 2026 transfer window, though a return for Marc Guehi appears unlikely at this stage. Meanwhile, debates continue among supporters and pundits regarding the club’s summer striker recruitment, with some questioning whether the right choice has been made. But for now, the spotlight remains firmly on Estevao and his burgeoning partnership with Maresca.
As Chelsea look to build on their strong start to the season, the careful management of Estevao Willian stands out as a model for developing young talent in the modern game. By prioritizing adaptation, happiness, and gradual exposure over short-term gains, Maresca is laying the groundwork for long-term success—not just for Estevao, but for Chelsea as a whole. The excitement is real, but the approach is refreshingly grounded.
With the season still in its early stages and plenty of football left to play, all eyes will be on Estevao as he continues to grow into his role at Stamford Bridge. If his early performances are any indication, Chelsea fans have every reason to be optimistic—so long as everyone remembers that even the brightest stars need time to shine.
