One of the most exciting young players at Chelsea has a serious chance of making his Premier League debut in the season opener against Crystal Palace.
Estevao Willian is finally with the first team squad, more than a year after a deal was originally agreed to bring the talented youngster to Stamford Bridge.
The Brazil international has made his first appearances at his new home stadium during Chelsea’s brief pre-season campaign, and found the net for the first time against Bayer Leverkusen.
Plenty of pundits have been impressed with what they have already seen from the former Palmeiras man. Pat Nevin is tipping Estevao to become a special player.
Estevao Willian celebrates scoring for Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen
Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Estevao can become Chelsea’s youngest debutant goalscorer in the Premier League
The Chelsea Chronicle are predicting the youngster will start on the bench against Palace, with the likes of Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens also vying for starts on the wings.
An appearance of any capacity would see Estevao handed the chance to break a record at the club after becoming one of the younger players to feature for the club in their history.
At the age of 18, Estevao can become the youngest player in club history to score on their Premier League debut for the club.
The previous holder of this record is Paul Hughes, who found the net against Derby County at the age of 20 on his debut back in 1997.
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Chelsea fans want Estevao to start against Palace, however Enzo Maresca has frequently stressed how important it is for the youngster to be eased in, despite his potential.
Estevao Willian celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Bayer Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly.
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Youngest Chelsea goalscorers in Premier League history
While Estevao would be the youngest blue to score on their debut in the Premier League, he would only rank second for youngest goalscorers in the competition.
Mikael Forsell scored for Chelsea against Nottingham Forest in 1999 at the age of 17, holding the record for the past 26 years.
In recent years, Callum Hudson-Odoi added his name near the top of the list when his goal against Burnley in 2020 helped the Blues towards a 3-0 win.
Last season, Tyrique George became the club’s fifth youngest goalscorer in Premier League history when he scored what turned into a crucial win in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League.