Chelsea defeated Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, demonstrating why they are now eating at the top table with the biggest clubs in Europe.
Estevao Willian initially paid £29 million to join Chelsea from Palmeiras.
There were so many remarkable parts to Chelsea’s red-hot display that saw them wipe the floor with Barcelona. But there’s no denying that Estevao is a volatile talent with the potential to dominate global football for many years to come.
His excellent second-half goal was a reflection of his exceptional potential and if anyone has watched Chelsea this season, it will come as no surprise because the 18-year-old appears capable of doing damage every time he collects the ball.
Estevao was an unused replacement against Burnley on Saturday at Turf Moor, which seems almost absurd considering that three nights later, he tore apart what is perhaps the biggest or most iconic club on the planet.
We already have a flawless player and one of the finest wingers in all of Europe, so you can’t help but wonder how many more levels he has to rise.
The finest aspect of it all? Palmeiras just had to pay him £29 million at first. In today’s transfer market, that is essentially peanuts.
Enzo Maresca is enraged at Lamine Yamal’s moment as Chelsea receives a timely £30 million boost against Barcelona.
Chelsea’s expenditures during the Clearlake Capital era have often drawn criticism, although Estevao has saved them millions. He has the potential to become a worldwide phenomenon.
In addition to becoming the Selecao’s best striker under Carlo Ancelotti, the young player is prepared to guide the Brazil national team into a new era as a teenager ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Even if teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona called, Chelsea would not be interested in selling him. His new transfer valuation is undoubtedly now at least £100 million.
Estevao is so talented that when he is playing well, he is practically unstoppable. Unfortunately for opponents, he is only going to become better because he is reportedly still adjusting to European football, so all the major clubs in Europe must be wondering how they missed the boat.
On a fantastic night at Stamford Bridge, Estevao scored Chelsea’s second goal against Barcelona (Image: Getty Images).
Additionally, Enzo Maresca is the ideal coach for Estevao’s growth because the Italian never allows him get too ahead of himself. Maresca has even stated that Estevao is remarkably modest for a player with such talent and potential.
It was a brilliant move to bench him against Burnley because, with everyone watching, the Brazilian talent felt like he had something to prove. He accomplished just that, shocking Barcelona with his deft dribbling and brutal finishing skills.
It was perhaps natural that Estevao took center stage on a night when Lamine Yamal hardly made an appearance, considering these two appear destined to engage in a rivalry akin to that of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the next ten or so years.
Estevao is the kind of player who, along with Cole Palmer, can put Chelsea back on their pedestal. Chelsea has signed the new face of their mission.
