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By KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER
Published: 12:00 EST, 10 December 2025 | Updated: 12:00 EST, 10 December 2025
A few weeks back, when Chelsea had beaten Barcelona and Estevao Willian had upstaged Lamine Yamal, I was tasked with writing a big feature on the 18-year-old Brazilian.
An idea arrived to try to get a few words from Harry Wayne Casey, the lead singer of KC and The Sunshine Band whose song That’s The Way (I Like It) had become a fan anthem for the teenager, its lyrics adapted to go: ‘Estevao, uh-huh, uh-huh, I like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.’
It was midway through the second half of Tuesday’s Champions League loss to Atalanta when I received a reply out of the blue with a statement from Casey, now 74, reading: ‘It’s very exciting to have my song used in celebrating Estevao Willian and after Chelsea FC victories. I’m truly honoured to be a small part of the success of both Chelsea Football Club and Estevao Willian.’
In late November, those quotes would have been a fun addition to the feelgood factor surrounding Chelsea. Now, they serve as a reminder for how quickly the fortunes of a club can change, with the Blues winless in their four fixtures since beating Barcelona.
Estevao was not brought on against Atalanta. Confidential watched his reaction to Tosin Adarabioyo’s 76th-minute introduction – enforced after Wesley Fofana’s eye injury – while the Brazil international was warming up with his back to the Chelsea away end in the corner.
He didn’t go as far as waving his arms around in disgust, but his body language told us he was disappointed.
Chelsea's wonderkid Estevao Willian (centre) was an unused substitute against Atalanta - much to his displeasure
The Brazilian was wearing his new Nike boots inspired by Ronaldinho for the first time - but was unable to debut them in the Champions League clash
Estevao, 18, has had an instant impact in his debut season in England and will be desperate for another chance to impress against Everton on Saturday
There was a little gesture towards the pitch as he spoke with another unused substitute, a look to the heavens, and then the covering of his face as he appeared to conclude it wasn’t to be his night, much to his frustration.
Estevao was wearing his new Nike boots inspired by Ronaldinho for the first time, but would not be getting to debut them in this Champions League clash.
Enzo Maresca had one substitution window remaining as they lost their lead and chased a result. Chelsea’s head coach was aware – there has been a slight mistranslation of what he said at his post-match press conference as if he had lost count – but he opted to have two left wingers on the field at the same time in Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens instead.
It was the latter who was used on the right for the game’s final stages rather than bringing on Estevao. You only had to eavesdrop on the Chelsea fans’ discussions over the breakfast buffet at my Bergamo hotel on Wednesday morning to know they too were frustrated with him being ignored.
Chelsea flew back to London immediately after the Atalanta loss, arriving home around 4am. The players will then have headed home for a rest, returned for a recovery session and now be thinking about this Saturday’s Premier League visit of Everton to Stamford Bridge.
Estevao will hope he gets his chance in that clash, though he is unlikely to be alone in wondering why he was unused in Italy. Others somewhat disheartened may include Andrey Santos, who watched as a right back, Malo Gusto, was brought on to replace Enzo Fernandez, and Facundo Buonanotte, the Brighton loanee who is finding his lack of opportunities frustrating and has now gone unused for seven successive games.
Likewise Filip Jorgensen, Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper, is itching to play after being told by Denmark that he needs to get game time if he is to represent them at next summer’s World Cup. The upcoming January transfer window could be interesting for Jorgensen.
Maresca has rotated plenty this season – making 119 changes to his starting line-ups, more than any other manager in England, while he has now surpassed the 100 barrier in substitutions used – but the challenge remains trying to keep everyone happy.
As they sought an equaliser against Atalanta, Chelsea ended up with two left wingers on the field at the same time in Alejandro Garnacho (pictured) and Jamie Gittens
Gittens, who was used on the right for the game¿s final stages rather than Estevao, could not find a way through the Atalanta defence on Tuesday night
MIND THE (AGE) GAP
Chelsea are the youngest side in the Premier League with an average age of 24 years and 185 days, while Everton are the oldest at 28 years and 125 days.
Knowing David Moyes, he will look to use his side’s experience to unsettle their young opponents, and will have noted how Leeds then Bournemouth went after them from the very first kick.
Chelsea’s players, led by club captain Reece James, have been speaking with each other on their struggles against the lesser sides they should be controlling. They stepped up for Barcelona and Arsenal, but the lack of consistency thereafter has been concerning.
CHELSEA CO-OWNER IN EXECUTIVE SUMMIT WITH ATALANTA
In the days building up to Atalanta v Chelsea, co-owner Behdad Eghbali visited his Italian counterparts for a collaborative meeting.
Also in attendance was chief executive Luca Percassi – a centre back for the Blues once upon a time – president Antonio Percassi (Luca's father), and co-chairmen Stephen Pagliuca and Marc Casper.
Atalanta told us the idea behind this executive summit was for ‘building networks, fostering dialogue and pursuing shared growth’.
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali visited his Atalanta counterparts ahead of their Champions League meeting
ARMY ANALYST LEAVES BLUES
Fabian Unwin, a former sergeant in the Royal Norwegian Air Force who became a senior data analyst for Chelsea, is leaving the club after nearly 13 years of service.
Unwin was one of those who helped pioneer the Blues’ loan player programme.
DEJA VU AS CHELSEA GO DOWN UNDER
Chelsea have chosen to go to Australia for their next pre-season tour after this summer’s World Cup. They will face Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28 and Tottenham on August 1.
That takes me back to 2018, when, also after a World Cup, I travelled Down Under to cover Maurizio Sarri’s first pre-season as Chelsea head coach. They played one game in Perth, and then moved on to Nice, France, and Dublin in the Republic of Ireland for a couple more matches.
I suspect Chelsea will not stop with only the two games in Australia in the summer. They may add another friendly or two afterwards somewhere else. Which players will be available depends on how deep their national teams go into the World Cup, with the final falling on July 19.
Cesc Fabregas, Maurizio Sarri and David Luiz enjoy Chelsea's summer tour of Australia back in 2018. The Blues are heading back Down Under next year
INCOMING SIGNING’S INJURY LAY-OFF
Geovany Quenda, the 18-year-old attacker who will be joining Chelsea next summer from Sporting CP, has suffered an unfortunate ankle injury which is set to sideline him for two months.
Quenda is fully focused on his recovery now and not expected to use that lay-off as an excuse to visit London to familiarise himself further with his new club.