Chelsea have not been afraid to spend big money on signing new players for Enzo Maresca’s squad next season, however one of those investments looks as if it is already more than worth it in a financial sense.
Maresca’s very strong first season at the club, capped off with Conference League and Club World Cup glory, and he will therefore be the first manager under the Todd Boehly regime to take the club into a second season.
There has already been significant business done by the Blues this summer. Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap are already with the squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
A deal for Jorrel Hato has also been agreed, and there is a desire to bring in Xavi Simons to further strengthen their attacking options.
Estevao Willian worth more than double what Chelsea paid for him already
Another player who will at last be a Chelsea player is Estevao Willian, who was announced as a new addition more than a year ago for an original fee of £29m.
Given the immense talent he has already shown in his career, he is going to remain as part of the first team squad this summer, rather than be loaned out like someone like Kendry Paez.
Despite not yet playing a game for Chelsea, the signing has been praised by many in the know about the youngster, and his value reflects that.
As per the CIES Football Observatory, Estevao is worth a fee of around £77m right now, and is the fourth most valuable Chelsea player.
Estevao proves his worth right in front of Maresca
The Blues got their first taste of the youngster during the Club World Cup, when he lined up for Palmeiras for the last time against the Blues in the quarter-finals.
Despite being on the wrong end of a 2-1 result, the Brazilian impressed, and his performance was capped off with a sensational second-half goal.
Maresca had a conversation with Estevao after the game, and a number of Chelsea players were quick to praise him after coming up against him.
Enzo Fernandez waxed lyrical over Estevao’s display, and will no doubt be keen to play alongside him next season.
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