Chelsea seem to have somewhat found their flow now after facing some ups and downs this season. With several of their important players sidelined due to injuries, the Blues initially struggled. However, others are now stepping up to cover the gaps, and the squad seems to have gradually adapted. They are now placed third in the Premier League and 12th in the Champions League points table.
The Blues brought in several new faces before this season, and a number of them are doing quite well in their debut season at the club. However, the one who has risen to popularity the most in such a short period of time is, surprisingly, the youngest of them all. The player in question is none other than Estevao Willian.
Chelsea announced last year that Estevao would join the club in the summer of 2025. He moved from Palmeiras after the Club World Cup, in which he scored against the Blues, and has quickly established himself as a key member of Enzo Maresca's first-team squad.
The 18-year-old has already scored 4 goals and provided 1 assist in 14 games across all competitions since moving to Stamford Bridge. And he seems to be only getting better, as he starts to adapt to the physicality and pace of the Premier League.
Chelsea player compared to Maradona and tipped for Ballon d'Or
Chelsea defeated Wolves 3-0 over the weekend, and although the Blues scored the first goal without him, Estevao's arrival as a substitute helped them find the second and third goals to seal the win. Following his performance, talkSPORT broadcaster Sam Matterface was full of praise and said he will win the Ballon d'Or in the future.
"Estevao, I don't care that he's 18, he is the best player in Chelsea's team right now.
“I said it before he arrived that he was going to be a superstar.
"And I will tell you this right now, he will win the Ballon d'Or one day."
Matterface was not the only one who praised Estevao. His co-presenter, former Newcastle United and West Ham United manager Alan Pardew, went on to say that Estevao reminds him of one of the best players in football history, Diego Maradona:
"When you have got a player who can just stand the defender straight up and say, 'Well I'm going to take you on,' and he knows he's going to take him on and still beats him, then you know you've got a special player.
“He's so quick, he's so close to the ground and he's got that kind of Maradona way that he manouvres the ball."
As a Chelsea fan, it's always a joy to hear such remarks about one of our players. The 18-year-old is truly a wonderkid, and fans love to watch him as the mood inside the stadium instantly lifts when Estevao is on the ball or about to come on. We hope to see him win the Ballon d'Or someday and continue to cherish more 'Este-wow' moments in the blue jersey.