Chelsea's new head coach, Enzo Maresca, is urging fans to temper their expectations for the club's latest young signing, Brazilian winger Estevao Willian. The 18-year-old has officially joined the Blues after a deal was agreed upon last summer for an initial fee of £29 million from Palmeiras, with potential add-ons that could bring the total to £51 million.
Maresca is aware of the excitement surrounding Estevao, who is considered one of the best young talents emerging from Brazil, but he is also keen to avoid placing undue pressure on the teenager. "For me, the biggest mistake we can do with him is to put him under pressure," Maresca stated. He emphasized the need for patience and understanding as Estevao adapts to a new country, a new league, and a new team.
Estevao's journey to Chelsea began in 2021 when he joined Palmeiras' youth academy. His talent quickly became apparent as he helped the club win multiple youth titles. By 16, he was already playing in the first team, showcasing his potential on a bigger stage. In 83 appearances for Palmeiras, he scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists, demonstrating his attacking prowess. He also earned five senior caps for Brazil. Notably, Estevao even scored against Chelsea in the Club World Cup, offering a glimpse of his capabilities to his future club.
Maresca has had the opportunity to see Estevao's talent firsthand. "I met him for the first time in the USA when we played against Palmeiras," he said. "He's a fantastic player, he's very young, he's a happy boy. He's always laughing, typical from a Brazilian guy, and we need to keep him happy". The Chelsea manager recognizes the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment for the young player to thrive.
Chelsea is committed to helping Estevao settle into his new surroundings. The club is assisting him in finding a place to live in London, and his family will be with him to ease the transition. Estevao will also be intensifying his English studies to overcome any language barriers. Maresca, fluent in several languages, will also be able to communicate effectively with the young Brazilian.
Maresca sees similarities between Estevao and Cole Palmer in terms of their versatility and positioning. "He can play everywhere," Maresca said. "He's so good. For me, he's like Cole [Palmer], in terms of - careful - he is like Cole in terms of his position. He can play outside, he can play inside, he can play everywhere".
Estevao himself is excited about the opportunity to play for Chelsea. "It feels very rewarding to represent Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world," he said. He is inspired by the legacy of successful Brazilian players who have played for the club, such as Thiago Silva.
The club hopes that Estevao will develop into a key player and contribute to their ambitions for domestic and European success. Despite his age, he already has significant senior-level experience, and his technical skill, pace, and creativity will be valuable assets.
Ultimately, Maresca believes that patience and support are crucial for Estevao's development. "We need to pay a little bit more attention because, first of all, he's from the other part of the world, and also he's very, very young," he said. "So we need to pay attention. As I said, [he is] not under pressure, give him happiness, give him time, he needs to adapt. Hopefully, we can give him minutes, so he's even more happy. But for sure, he's a talented player".
