Estevao Willian only played 45 minutes of football in Chelsea’s 1-0 win against Pafos on Wednesday night.
However, it was enough time for the winger to cause Chelsea’s Champions League opponents some real problems.
Estevao started the game on the bench but was brought on as a second-half substitute.
Who was your Man of the Match vs Pafos?
Or did we miss anyone? Let us know!
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Liam Rosenior took Reece James off and replaced him with the Brazilian, a decision he explained in his post-match interview.
Joleon Lescott, former footballer and football pundit portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Joleon Lescott claims Pafos doubling up on Estevao Willian was a sign of respect
Estevao was well marked once he stepped onto the Stamford Bridge pitch, with Pafos manager Albert Celades putting more than one player on him.
For former Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott, it showed how much the Cypriot team respected the 18-year-old.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, Lescott said: “I thought he started off very brightly, faded a little bit into the game. I think they recognised how much of a threat he was and doubled up, tripled up on him, giving him the respect he deserves.
“But again, as he gets older and a bit more mature and a bit more understanding of the game that he’s actually playing in, he’ll cause immense problems to the opposition.”
What have you made of Liam Delap in a Chelsea shirt?🤔
Liam Delap's Chelsea stats vs Pafos
Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
For all the threat Estevao posed on the night, in the end, it was Moises Caicedo who grabbed Chelsea’s winning goal with a rare header.
Caicedo has since been lauded by Joe Cole, who now thinks the Ecuadorian is Chelsea’s best player. It is a status that Estevao will be hoping to achieve one day.
Estevao of Chelsea on the ball whilst under pressure from Georgios Michael of Pafos FC
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Estevao Willian’s number of attempted dribbles vs Pafos
One reason why Chelsea supporters have really taken to Estevao since his arrival from Palmeiras is his directness.
The Brazil international always wants to take on his man, which the Stamford Bridge faithful could see on Wednesday night.
As per Sofascore, Estevao attempted seven dribbles in just 45 minutes of action. Three of them were successful.
Chelsea’s next game is against Crystal Palace, who are likely to use a back five and a low block. It has brought Oliver Glasner a lot of success at Selhurst Park, though things are not working out for the Austrian at the moment.
Given the shape that Palace are likely to be in, Rosenior will need an attacker like Estevao who can make things happen out of nothing.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox