Chelsea’s pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge was less about the scoreline and more about the glimpse into the club’s future.
Enzo Maresca handed home debuts to several young signings and the performances of Estevão Willian, Jorrel Hato and Dário Essugo offered clear hints about how they could shape the season ahead.
It took just 18 minutes for Estevão to announce himself in Chelsea blue.
The 18-year-old reacted quickest when Cole Palmer’s clever lobbed effort rebounded off the crossbar, sweeping in the opener with a finish full of confidence.
His celebration, a knee slide followed by a badge kiss and point to the sky, showed the instant connection with the crowd.
From the right wing in the first half and the number ten role in the second, Estevão played with fearlessness.
He repeatedly took on Alex Grimaldo, mixed direct dribbles with sharp one-touch play and never hesitated to shoot.
The most exciting aspect was his understanding with Palmer. They exchanged backheels, chest passes and sweeping diagonals without a glance.
Estevão knows little-to-no English as yet so the two were communicating entirely through their movement and vision.
His ability to start a move by winning possession shows he is not just a flair player.
He is already seen as one of the most promising talents to emerge from Brazil in a generation and his 76 minutes here suggested the hype is justified.
If Maresca can keep him and Palmer fit, Chelsea will have a creative partnership capable of deciding games.
Jorrel Hato’s first appearance for Chelsea came at half-time, stepping in at left-back in a demanding tactical role.
While Marc Cucurella’s tireless first half set a high bar, the Dutch teenager impressed with his composure.
He naturally drifted into the half spaces in midfield, a trait Maresca’s system demands, and showed neat footwork in tight situations.
One standout moment saw him receive a fizzed pass with his back to goal, turn away from pressure and release Pedro Neto down the flank.
Physically taller than Cucurella and looking comfortable in possession, Hato offers different attributes.
He can also slot in as a wide centre-back or can invert into midfield, giving Maresca valuable cover and options.
With Cucurella having played over 5000 minutes last season, Hato’s presence could prove essential for rotation without a drop in quality.
Dário Essugo’s cameo at Stamford Bridge was short but telling.
The young midfielder has already featured in the Club World Cup but this was his first appearance in front of the home crowd.
He looked every inch an able deputy to Moisés Caicedo, mirroring the Ecuadorian’s blend of defensive instinct and composure on the ball.
His standout moment came when Leverkusen broke forward in transition.
Essugo, alone, tracked the danger and launched into a perfectly timed tackle that stopped the attack dead and regained possession.
It was the sort of intervention Caicedo makes look routine. At the time, I likened it to Jon Snow facing the Bolton cavalry in Game of Thrones.
Essugo’s reading of the game, physical commitment and ability to win the ball suggests he can step in seamlessly when rotation is required.
It also offers Maresca a potential like-for-like replacement in a key role, which could be critical in a long season.
This was only a friendly but it felt significant. Estevão lit up Stamford Bridge with quality and chemistry that will excite supporters, Hato showed calm assurance in a complex role, and Essugo delivered a moment of pure defensive steel.
Each gave Maresca reasons to trust them with a bigger role once the competitive games begin.
With Milan visiting next and the Premier League opener against Crystal Palace fast approaching, Chelsea’s future at the top might be closer than it appears.