Estêvão Willian at Chelsea: A Tactical and Technical Deep Dive into the Premier League’s Newest Prodigy
When Chelsea completed the highly anticipated transfer of Estêvão Willian, they were not just signing another talented winger — they were investing in a generational project. Born in 2007 and arriving in Europe with the weight of expectation, the Brazilian starlet has already begun to justify the buzz surrounding him. His first months in the Premier League and the Champions League have offered a fascinating glimpse into the player he is now, and the superstar he could become.
What follows is a detailed tactical and analytical breakdown of Estêvão’s early impact at Chelsea, blending data-driven insights with match observations to paint a complete picture of his role, his strengths, and his future trajectory.
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A Young Talent on a Big Stage
At just 18 years old, Estêvão entered one of the highest-pressure environments in world football — but he did so with remarkable composure. Registered primarily as a right winger, but capable of operating across the front line and even dropping into attacking midfield zones, he immediately stood out for his confidence and assertiveness.
According to WhoScored, he is deployed almost exclusively on the right, cutting inside onto his stronger left foot. The statistics confirm that Chelsea are not easing him in — they are giving him real responsibility. His early Champions League appearances have been especially notable; per UEFA’s official data, he has logged over 220 minutes in Europe, scoring twice and becoming Chelsea’s youngest UCL scorer after burying a calm penalty against Ajax.
In all competitions, the underlying numbers tell the same story: Chelsea trust him in decisive moments, and he is already delivering.
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Chelsea’s Tactical Blueprint: How Maresca Uses Estêvão
Manager Enzo Maresca is known for his structured positional play, an approach that demands intelligence, timing, and technical precision. Estêvão fits seamlessly into that system, even at his age.
- The Inverted Right-Sided Playmaker
Although officially listed as a winger, Estêvão’s role is far more complex than simply hugging the touchline. Chelsea’s right flank often functions as a creative funnel, and Estêvão is the player responsible for injecting unpredictability.
With his left foot, he drifts inward, seeking to combine with the right-back or central midfielders. This inverted positioning achieves several tactical goals:
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- It creates triangles and overloads in the right half-space
- It allows Chelsea to penetrate through the inside channels
- It frees space for overlapping runs from the right-back
- It offers him the chance to shoot from central areas
His heatmap, reflected on FotMob, shows strong activity not just wide on the flank but also between the lines — a sign of a winger instructed to be aggressive, creative, and fluid.
- A Vertical Threat in Transition
Unlike some of Chelsea’s more possession-focused players, Estêvão injects pace and directness. When Chelsea counter, he becomes a vertical dagger, running at defenders with the ball or attacking the space behind them.
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His top speed of 28.7 km/h in the Champions League is not elite-sprinter level, but his acceleration off the mark and agility in tight areas make him a nightmare in transitions.
- A Controlled Dribbler, not a Chaos Merchant
One of the most distinctive features of his game is his volume and efficiency of dribbles. According to FotMob, his early-season rate sits around 3.7 successful dribbles per 90. This places him among Chelsea’s most dangerous ball-carriers, and already within the top bracket of young Premier League attackers. But what stands out is not just the dribble count — but the intention behind them. Estêvão does not dribble for show. He dribbles:
- to break the first line,
- to create angle changes,
- to draw fouls,
- to collapse defensive blocks,
- to attack gaps in the half-space.
This blend of efficiency and bravery is remarkably rare in teenagers.
Technical Profile: What the Numbers Tell Us
The raw and advanced statistics from FotMob, Transfermarkt, and WhoScored combine to form a sharp portrait of Estêvão’s early-level output.
- Chance Creation & Playmaking
He averages:
- 1.4 chances created per 90
- A combined xG + xA of around 0.9 per 90
These are elite numbers for an 18-year-old adapting to a new league. Unlike pure dribblers, Estêvão sees passing as a natural extension of his technical ability. He is often involved in:
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- cutbacks from the half-space,
- switches of play,
- threaded passes into the box,
- combination play around the edge of the area.
His 81% pass accuracy in the Champions League, considering his high-risk style, is excellent.
- Shooting & Finishing
He attempts:
- 2.9 shots per 90
- 1.1 shots on target per 90
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These numbers suggest a player who is both willing and capable of shooting from advantageous positions. His maturity in front of the goal showed vividly in his:
- Champions League penalty vs Ajax
- Premier League late winner vs Liverpool
For an 18-year-old to take — and score — such decisive moments says as much about his mentality as his technique.
- Off-the-Ball Work
His defensive actions are limited. He is not yet a pressing machine or a ball-winner. His recoveries are modest, and he does not frequently contribute clearances or blocks. But this is not a red flag — it is normal for an attacking teenager in a tactically strict system. His defensive improvements will come with:
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- game time,
- physical maturation,
- tactical understanding.
Mentality: Confidence of a Veteran, Age of a Prospect
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Estêvão is his mental courage. In interviews, he has said that mistakes do not scare him — he trusts his ability and keeps trying.
This mindset is essential for a dribbler. Maresca’s willingness to play him in high-pressure matches speaks volumes. He is not treated like a youth player; he is treated like a weapon.
The fact that he stepped up to take a Champions League penalty as the club’s youngest player in the competition sums up his character better than any statistic.
Tactical Weaknesses & Areas for Growth
Every young talent has gaps, and Estêvão is no exception. The key areas Chelsea will focus on include:
- Defensive Discipline
He will need to better:
- track runners,
- stay compact in shape,
- press with timing,
- help his right-back defensively.
- Decision-Making in the Final Third
His creativity is elite, but at times:
- he dribbles one defender too many,
- chooses a risky pass over a simple one,
- shoots from low-value angles.
This will naturally improve with top-level coaching.
- Physical Consistency
The Premier League requires:
- strength,
- stamina,
- resilience.
Chelsea will carefully manage his load to avoid burnout or injury.
Strategic Importance for Chelsea’s Future
Estêvão is not just a “talent.” He is a project, a cornerstone, and potentially a franchise attacker.
Short Term
He is already:
- a game-changer from the bench,
- a mismatch creator,
- a Champions League weapon,
- a tactical joker card for Maresca.
Long Term
He could become:
- one of the Premier League’s best inside forwards,
- Chelsea’s primary right-sided creator,
- a 20-goal/10-assist type attacker,
- a €100M+ asset around whom the attack revolves.
Chelsea have bet big on youth — and in Estêvão’s case, the early signs suggest they may have backed a future superstar.
Conclusion: A Star in the Making
Estêvão Willian’s first season at Chelsea is more than promising — it is a statement. His blend of technical excellence, tactical versatility, fearless mentality, and statistical output is extraordinarily rare in a player of his age.
He is not simply adapting to Premier League and Champions League football, he is impacting it. Chelsea’s next decade could very well be shaped by what this young Brazilian becomes. And based on the evidence so far, the ceiling is nothing short of world-class.
By: Xhulio Zeneli
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images