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Enzo Maresca shares where'talented'Estevao Willian can fit into Chelsea's team

There is certainly huge anticipation to see how Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian gets on during his first season at Chelsea.

Back in June 2024, Chelsea confirmed they had agreed a deal with Palmeiras to sign Estevao Willian in the future. Finally, the 18-year-old attacker completed his switch to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The teenage rising star has joined up with the Blues squad this week for the start of a short pre-season schedule. They face Bayer Leverkusen (8 August) and AC Milan (10 August) in friendlies before the Premier League campaign gets underway at home to Crystal Palace (17 August).

Even though Chelsea received loan enquiries for Estevao, the youngster is firmly in the first-team plans and will be looking to make an immediate impact in the Premier League.

New Signing Estevao arrives at Chelsea FC

Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Enzo Maresca highlights the versatility of Estevao Willian

During a press conference on Thursday morning, Blues head coach Enzo Maresca was asked about Estevao, specifically about where he could fit into the team.

The Italian manager explained that the versatile left-footed playmaker can play anywhere across the attack in his system.

When discussing Estevao, Maresca said via Chelsea’s YouTube channel: “He can play everywhere. He is so good. For me, he is like Cole [Palmer], in terms of position. He can play outside. He can play inside. He can play everywhere in our five attacking positions…

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“First of all, he’s from the other part of the world. Also, he’s very, very young. We need to pay attention, not [put him] under pressure, give him happiness, and give him time. He needs to adapt. Hopefully we can give him minutes. For sure, he’s a talented player.”

Estevao signed an eight-year deal at Chelsea and arrives with so much hype around his name, largely because he already has a lot of top-level experience.

In 83 first-team appearances for Palmeiras, Estevao scored 27 goals and provided 15 assists. He’s earned five senior caps for international giants Brazil, too.

In terms of his favoured position, Chelsea’s new signing regularly operated as a right-winger for Palmeiras, where he would cause havoc cutting infield. Alternatively, the creative talent played more centrally in a No.10 role.

As we’ve seen with Maresca, he’s not against using his attackers in a variety of different roles, so it may take some time for Estevao to establish his best position in West London.

Chelsea fans should be super excited because Estevao admitted he wants to become the world’s best in his career.

Enzo Maresca reacts during Chelsea FC Training Session And Press Conference - FIFA Club World Cup 2025

Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images

The competition on Chelsea’s wings

It will be fascinating to see who emerges as Chelsea’s preferred starting wingers in the new season because it feels up in the air right now.

On paper, Estevao, Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens are the main options competing for the starting roles in wide areas. However, Blues talisman Cole Palmer can sometimes operate from the right, where he’s extremely effective. Also, Chelsea still expect to sign Xavi Simons, the versatile RB Leipzig playmaker who’s dangerous from the left.

For Estevao, it’s about the young forward making the most of any opportunity he’s handed by Maresca. It certainly shouldn’t fall on his shoulders to deliver from day one because everything is brand new for him and he needs time.

If we were guessing Chelsea’s starting wingers for the league opener against Palace, Neto and Gittens would make our predicted XI.

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