Estevao had the pick of Europe’s elite prior to joining Chelsea, but it was the vision for extended minutes at Stamford Bridge that really pushed things over the line.
Chelsea‘s summer signings haven’t all flourished at Stamford Bridge this season, but one player who certainly has is Estevao Willian.
So much so that even Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has acknowledged just how impressive Estevao has been since making his move, hinting at a bright future.
And the fact that he’s just 18 makes things even crazier.
This is one example of Chelsea’s young signing policy working in their favour, but judging by a recent Estevao interview, it seems as if there were plenty of other options.
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Estevao puts joining Chelsea down to the opportunity of regular minutes
The Sun reporter Jack Rosser shared an interview with Estevao, where he pointed towards the opportunity he felt he had at Chelsea over other Premier League clubs.
“My family went to other clubs but what caught my attention was Chelsea.
“I thought Chelsea would be the perfect future for me because it would get me more minutes.”
Inside the report, it also states that Man United, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest all met the Brazilian’s team to discuss a move but he rejected them.
It’s a move that has seen Chelsea since predict Estevao will become a £200 million player, and they’re not wrong.
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Where does Estevao go from here?
Despite an explosive start to the 2025/26 campaign, which saw him net seven goals in all competitions and become the club’s youngest-ever scorer in consecutive Champions League starts, the 18-year-old is currently sidelined.
Liam Rosenior has emphasised that he won’t rush the Brazilian’s return to protect his long-term career, and he’s absolutely right. Just look at the issues Cole Palmer is having right now.
From here, Estevao’s trajectory points toward becoming the primary architect of Chelsea’s attack, provided he can adapt to the physical toll of a 50-game European season.
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