By Zach Lowy
Regardless of Chelsea’s star-studded line-up that includes the likes of Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernández and Liam Delap, the participant who piqued essentially the most curiosity of the Chelsea followers wasn’t carrying a white shirt, however a inexperienced shirt. Precisely 12 days after signing a long-term contract with Chelsea for €34 million plus €23 million in performance-based incentives, it was lastly time for Estêvão Willian Almeida de Oliveira Gonçalves to showcase his abilities in entrance of his future fanbase.
Cole Palmer broke the impasse inside a quarter-hour for a Chelsea aspect that poured on the stress and pinned Palmeiras deep into their very own half. However reasonably than break, the Brazilian aspect merely bent, patiently weathering the storm and coming into the interval with a one-goal deficit. And within the 53rd minute, Estêvão latched onto a low cross from Richard Ríos, holding off Levi Colwill and conserving the ball underneath his custody. Regardless of being saved at arm’s size and regardless of having an almost inconceivable capturing angle, Estêvão launched a potent shot off the crossbar and into the again of the online, bamboozling Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez within the course of.
The 18-year-old Brazilian prodigy delivered a memorable audition on and off the ball, finishing 13 out of 19 passes (4 into the ultimate third), successful two out of two tackles, and registering 5 recoveries. In the end, it wasn’t sufficient to lengthen his Palmeiras profession, with a late personal purpose seeing Chelsea progress to the semifinals, nevertheless it was sufficient to see him win his second Michelob Extremely Superior Participant of the Match award of the event. And perhaps, simply perhaps, it is going to be sufficient to see him keep away from going out on mortgage to Strasbourg or one other group and as an alternative fast-track him into Chelsea’s first group for the 2025/26 season.
“Estêvão is a really fast, technically gifted participant who’s excellent in 1v1 conditions and boasts very good ending means, and who’s all the time demanding the ball,” acknowledged Brazilian journalist Pedro Cunha. “At Palmeiras, his most important weapon was reducing inside from the fitting flank and firing at purpose. His three most important strengths are ball management, dribbling and velocity. He’s a child with a number of high quality, and if every part goes proper, he’ll change into one of many best gamers within the historical past of Brazilian soccer.”
Born in Franca, Brazil, Estêvão spent 4 years at Cruzeiro’s academy earlier than making the transfer to Palmeiras in 2021. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than Estêvão began to make a reputation for himself within the Verdão’s youth set-up, along with his low centre of gravity and technical finesse enabling him to evade a deal with at a second’s discover and make quick, calculated touches while conserving the ball glued to his ft. Estêvão’s precocious skills rapidly took the nation by storm, turning into the youngest participant to signal an expert contract with Nike at 10 years previous and incomes a plethora of particular person and group trophies at youth stage.
It’s this mixture of mature decision-making and God-given expertise that noticed him earn the ‘Messinho’ nickname throughout his time in Palmeiras’ youth set-up, earlier than ultimately ascending to the senior group. Two months after scoring a hat-trick towards São Paulo within the Brasileiro Sub-17 Remaining, Estêvão grew to become the fourth-youngest participant to debut for Palmeiras, serving to them to safe their second-straight league title with a 1-1 draw vs. Cruzeiro on December 7, 2023. He hasn’t seemed again ever since, successful the Campeonato Paulista, being named to the Brasileirão’s Group of the Season, and claiming the Greatest Newcomer award for the 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro season. Estêvão instantaneously emerged as one of many first names on Abel Ferreira’s group sheet, turning into the third-youngest participant to attain for Palmeiras and registering 27 objectives and 15 assists in 83 appearances in all competitions.
While he has often been utilised as a No. 10 and a left winger, his bread and butter is on the fitting aspect of assault, the place he can slice via visitors and push the group ahead along with his mazy dribbles and unpredictable adjustments of course. And though he’s typically the centre of consideration, he additionally demonstrates a magnanimity that belies his tender age, stretching the opposing defence along with his unwavering runs and taking part in adroit one-twos to unleash his teammate into attacking areas. Able to dropping his shoulder and accelerating into overdrive, Estêvão thrives at creating separation from his defenders and leaving them hoodwinked along with his audacity and trickery.
However though he has introduced himself as one of many high skills in world soccer, there are specific issues that he should enhance on as he appears to compete with the likes of Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto for a beginning spot in Enzo Maresca’s assault. “Estêvão was often known as a participant who solely performs towards small groups. He didn’t rating in any Clássico [games against Santos, São Paulo or Corinthians], and his first purpose in a giant sport got here vs. Chelsea,” acknowledged Cunha.
“He wants to enhance so much in his maturity and his coolness on the pitch, as a result of the Palmeiras fanbase all the time complained that he disappeared in high-pressure matches…he struggled to repeat the success that he had vs. groups like Cuiabá and Bahia every time he confronted off towards greater sides like Flamengo. I additionally suppose that he wants to enhance on his weaker foot…whereas he excels at pushing the ball in direction of his left foot, that very same high quality isn’t seen every time he works it from his left to his proper.”
At 18 years of age, Estêvão has already emerged as an important participant for not simply Palmeiras however the Brazilian nationwide group, making 5 appearances for the Seleção and beginning in Carlo Ancelotti’s first match as Brazil supervisor. He’s already adopted within the footsteps of Pelé, Neymar, Ronaldinho and Luis Suárez by successful the Bola de Ouro, given to the very best participant of the Campeonato Brasileiro season. However now, can he make the step as much as European soccer and ship on his lofty price ticket?
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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