‘Next Neymar’ Estevao Willian backed to join Eden Hazard & Gianfranco Zola in Chelsea legends club as Brazilian wonderkid is ‘unbelievably good’

That goes to show how far the teenager has come in a short space of time. He only made his professional debut at Palmeiras in December 2023 and, less than two years later, is now a senior Brazil international and a Premier League performer being tipped to reach the very top.

A transfer to English football was completed in the summer of 2025 after turning 18 and facing Chelsea at the FIFA Club World Cup. He admitted when arriving in west London that adjusting to life outside of his comfort zone would be difficult.

Estevao has, however, hit the ground running with Chelsea - opening his goal account in stunning style when netting a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic victory over defending champions Liverpool. He had already been catching the eye prior to that outing.

His quick feet and ability to drift beyond opponents have made him a fan favourite and earned the respect of those who are sat alongside him in the Chelsea dressing room. There is the promise of much more to come, with the hottest of prospects seemingly ready to become the next South American sensation.

Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has told OLBG: “Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for. I think he could be one of the best. It's a lot to ask of a kid who's 18, but he's got everything, everything you need. Next off the Brazilian production line like Neymar. It's a good solid start, but I'll tell you what underlines it. I was at the Chelsea v Liverpool game just the other week and the ball went out to him and the noise in the stadium is different from every single other player. That is wow, not many can do that. So nice solid start, but he's a kid that can go wherever he likes. He's unbelievably good.”

Nevin went on to say of Estevao following in some iconic footsteps: “Style-wise, Chelsea have got this long list from Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata was much much loved down there. It goes all the way back to Charlie Cooke. Chelsea have got a whole list of these little creative players that they absolutely love.

“Estevao will be one of them. If Chelsea treat him right, if they stick by him, if he doesn't get injured, he will be in that pantheon. There's a couple of ifs in there, but definitely capable. Which one of them is he more like? He's probably closer to Neymar. He's not really like them. But creative, small, playing for Chelsea and could be world class very soon. He's up there and he should be one of them because he's good enough.”

Another former Blues star, Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo, told GOAL recently when asked how god Estevao can become: “Let’s not overwhelm him with pressure, but he’s going to be a top player! You can see that he is so advanced in his football development.

“I saw him before the international break and he looks like a 15-year-old! You look at him and think ‘you are playing already?’ Amazing skills, technically, he’s fast, unpredictable, can go outside and inside. Very good attitude. He’s quite advanced for his age. Ancelotti loves him in the Brazil national team.

“He’s got a very good family around him as well, his parents have moved over with him. He’s got good management around him so I have no doubt that he’s going to grow and become a top player, a world top player.”

Chelsea have Estevao tied to a long term contract through to 2033, meaning that they stand to benefit from the unlocking of further potential. He was among the goals for Brazil during the international break, netting a brace against South Korea, and will be back in Premier League action on Saturday when the Blues take in a trip to Nottingham Forest.