Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian told Premier League challenges he must 'adapt' to in order to become the superstar that Chelsea believe he is

Estevao - who is fondly known as 'Messinho' in his homeland - has fared admirably at Stamford Bridge so far, with the 18-year-old admitting that he has exceeded his own expectations. He opened his goal account for the Blues in dramatic fashion when netting a stoppage-time winner against title holders Liverpool. He has since gone on to convert a penalty against Ajax in the Champions League.

Enzo Maresca has presented Estevao with plenty of opportunities in which to prove his worth, with the youngster fast becoming a fan favourite in west London - as the kind of player that gets supporters on their feet whenever the ball comes his way. He is being tipped to reach the very top of the game.

World Cup winner Desailly is urging caution for now, but concedes that Estevao can achieve anything that he sets his mind to. The Frenchman, speaking in association with OLBG, told GOAL: "He's a young player. He has good records. He was playing in Palmeiras, which is funny as during the Club World Cup, I think he scored against Chelsea. It was quite strange. But he has talent. I think he scored one goal this season, but you can tell [he has potential]. But you have to take time.

"He has to adapt to the Premier League speed. He has to adapt to the Premier League impact into the system. As I had to adapt myself, the rock, when I came in England, I had to adapt to the speed, to the fighting spirit. So, take time, he's been magnificent last season, you know, with Palmeiras. But the Premier League is the Premier League. You can do whatever you want. You need to adapt a little bit as a Brazilian into the system. But the talent is there and we hope he will bring that value that Chelsea is looking for."

Champions League-winning ex-Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo - who also represented the club as a player - told GOAL when asked how good 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."

Another Chelsea legend, Gus Poyet, told GOAL when quizzed on whether Estevao can become the next South American superstar: "He has potential. He has got everything. I think he can be incredible and top, top, top class.

"Now he needs to do it all the time. Now we are talking about Lamine Yamal and when you are looking at him, it’s every game - every game doing something, even with the national team. When somebody does it at that level all the time, or most of the time, then you are there. He has got the potential to get there. Now he needs to do it all the time, which I hope is possible."

Chelsea, who sit fifth in the Premier League table through eight games this season, will be back in action on Saturday when playing host to newly-promoted Sunderland. Estevao, after scoring against Ajax last time out, will be hoping to retain his starting berth for that clash with the Black Cats.