As Chelsea prepares to face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, early discussions about the talents of teenage prodigies Estevao Willian and Lamine Yamal felt a bit ahead of their time. That’s changed following a standout performance.
Estevao, at just 18, made waves on the global stage with a brilliant goal in Chelsea’s 3-0 triumph this past Tuesday, overshadowing his young counterpart.
Yamal, who is also 18, likely won’t be too troubled by the outcome. As a European Championship winner with Spain, a two-time LaLiga champion, and a Ballon d’Or finalist, the future remains bright for him.
Moreover, despite Barcelona’s current 15th place in their Champions League group, it’s not a crisis, especially with three manageable matches left against Bayer Leverkusen, Copenhagen, and Slavia Prague on the horizon.
This match showcased Estevao and Chelsea’s potential to compete at the highest level, instilling hope in a fanbase that has witnessed significant transitions since their 2021 Champions League victory.
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Estevao’s potential seems limitless, and following his goal, those expecting Yamal’s star power to dominate were instead treated to a highlight moment from Estevao.
Following a comical own goal by Jules Koundé and a red card for Ronald Araújo, Chelsea seized the momentum. Estevao received the ball from Reece James
, showcasing his skill through a stunning run that culminated in a powerful shot into the net past Joan García.
As Estevao celebrated, the cameras panned to Yamal, who feigned indifference while visibly disappointed. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was almost in disbelief at the brilliance of the moment.
Afterward, Maresca was asked about the Messi comparisons regarding Estevao’s goal.
“No, it reminded me of the goal Estevao scored against us in the Club World Cup last summer when he was with Palmeiras,” Maresca responded. Chelsea had announced Estevao’s move to the club right after that tournament.
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“Estevao needs to take a step back, enjoy himself, and focus on training,” Maresca continued. “With both him and Lamine at just 18 years old, comparisons to Messi and Ronaldo can create undue pressure. They should simply enjoy the game.”
Estevao has now become only the third player to score in his first three Champions League matches, joining the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
He has also netted five goals for Chelsea this season, matching the tally of all other Premier League players under 18 combined.
During the match against Barcelona, Chelsea maintained their pressure, almost scoring four times, with a disallowed goal for Enzo Fernández resulting in a VAR ruling in their favor for Liam Delap’s first Champions League goal since joining from Ipswich Town.
Fernandez and Marc Cucurella were standout performers, while Barcelona lamented a missed opportunity when Ferran Torres squandered a clear chance early on. Overall, the last season’s semifinalists struggled against Chelsea, particularly after Araújo’s dismissal.
Chelsea had a near-flawless performance, especially notable since they were once so dependent on the creativity of England‘s Cole Palmer.
This win signifies a promising shift for Chelsea. While the title of “world champions” might feel hollow due to FIFA’s Club World Cup format, performances like this reinforce their growing credibility.
As Wayne Rooney remarked, “We haven’t even mentioned Cole Palmer today. That’s how dominant Chelsea has been.”
Chelsea has been cautious in managing Estevao’s playing time, which may become a challenge moving forward. With this match being just his ninth start, the urge to feature him prominently against Arsenal could be tempting.
“No, it’s not going to be hard,” noted Maresca. “Pedro Neto can play on the wing too, and we’ve been very happy with him. It all depends on our strategy. Tonight required us to utilize Estevao, and when the game plan needs him, he will be in the lineup and he will play a lot because he’s exceptional.”
Yamal left the pitch with just 11 minutes left, visibly frustrated, shaking his head as he acknowledged Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick before sitting down dejectedly on the bench amid chants from Chelsea fans.
While brighter days are certainly in store for Yamal, it’s equally true that Chelsea and Estevao are heading toward a promising future, leaving the field to a rousing ovation from the crowd.
After high-fiving his teammates, Estevao exchanged a warm handshake with Cole Palmer, hinting at an exciting collaborative future.