Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard after his electric start to life in England.
The 18-year-old Brazilian has been hailed as “unbelievably good” and compared to Neymar after bursting onto the scene at Stamford Bridge.
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Having only made his professional debut for Palmeiras in December 2023, Estevao’s rapid rise has seen him become a senior Brazil international and a Premier League performer in less than two years.
His move to Chelsea was completed in the summer of 2025 after he turned 18, and he quickly announced himself by scoring a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool.
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Former Blues winger Pat Nevin told OLBG: “Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for. I think he could be one of the best. It’s a lot to ask of a kid who’s 18, but he’s got everything. When the ball went out to him against Liverpool, the noise in the stadium was different. He’s unbelievably good.”
Nevin added that Estevao could soon join Chelsea’s long list of beloved playmakers: “Style-wise, from Zola, Hazard, Mata, all the way back to Charlie Cooke Chelsea love these little creative players. Estevao will be one of them if they treat him right. He’s capable and probably closer to Neymar in style.”
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[GOAL reports] that former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo also believes Estevao is destined for the top, saying: “Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player. He’s fast, unpredictable, technically brilliant, and has a great attitude. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil team.”
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Estevao, who recently scored twice for Brazil against South Korea, is tied to a long-term Chelsea contract until 2033 and looks set to be a central figure in the club’s future.