Estevao Willian is currently with Brazil’s squad for the first time as a Chelsea player. Carlo Ancelotti, his international manager, has just made an interesting comparison between the rising star and Vinicius Junior.
At the age of 18, Estevao Willian has arrived at Chelsea this summer and slotted into the squad effortlessly.
In fairness, the teenage attacker joined the Blues after playing 83 first-team games for Palmeiras. He’s also already earned five senior international caps for South American giants Brazil.
Estevao has surprised himself at Chelsea with how quickly he’s adapted. The left-footed trickster, who mainly plays on the right wing and drifts infield, has already put in some eye-catching performances in the Premier League for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Estevao is currently away with Brazil during the international break, along with Blues teammates Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos.
Carlo Ancelotti on what he’s noticed about Estevao Willian in training, makes Vinicius Junior comparison
Speaking at his pre-match press conference before two World Cup qualifiers, Carlo Ancelotti hailed the individual talent of Estevao.
In particular, the Brazil manager highlighted that the 18-year-old forward has proven in training sessions he likes to play inside the pitch in a similar way to international teammate and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior.
When discussing Chelsea’s Estevao, Ancelotti said via Globo: “Yes. I think modern football has lost a bit of that type of player, who plays inside, as a midfielder. Football has more wingers, strong, fast, that type of player. Estevao has a lot of quality and can also play inside. As we’re seeing in training. Raphinha, Vinicius, [Gabriel] Martinelli, they also play very well inside. That’s what modern football demands.”
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Brazil | 41 | 7 | 6 |
| Real Madrid | 325 | 108 | 84 |
| Flamengo | 69 | 14 | 5 |
| Team | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Brazil | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Palmeiras | 83 | 27 | 15 |
| Chelsea | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Madrid ace Vinicius, 25, has been one of the world’s elite wingers for several years, excelling as a wide player with incredible pace and skill. He ticks the box as being a major goal-getter, too.
For Estevao, he’s the next rising star of Brazilian football who will carry a lot of expectation on his shoulders to follow a similar path.
Estevao has been tipped to get better and better by Chelsea teammate Trevoh Chalobah, so we can’t wait to watch his development in West London.
He’s averaging four dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League so far (FOTMOB), which highlights his desire to get the ball and drive at defenders. The way the youngster has settled so quickly makes it even more impressive.
Chelsea’s competition in wide areas
For Estevao, he’s got a tough job on his hands to stay in Chelsea’s strongest XI after the international break, but for now he’ll be focused on impressing for Brazil.
On paper, Estevao and Pedro Neto are the Blues options for the right wing. Meanwhile, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho could compete for the opposite flank on the left.
Like Ancelotti, Maresca said Estevao can play inside to operate as a number 10. We suspect he’ll get most of his minutes from the right wing during his debut Chelsea season, but fans will notice his tendency to drift centrally to get involved.
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