Chelsea 3-0 Wolves: Estevao explodes, surpasses 100 million mark
From the bench, the 18-year-old dribbled past two players and set up Joao Pedro, sending the crowd into a frenzy; CIES valued him at more than £100m, Maresca praised.
Chelsea beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0, but the name that resonated at Stamford Bridge was Willian Estevao. Coming off the bench, the 18-year-old winger needed only a few minutes to dribble past two defenders and cross for Joao Pedro to make it 2-0, bringing the atmosphere to a climax. According to CIES Football Observatory, Estevao is now valued at more than £100 million, making him the second most expensive teenager in the world, behind only Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. For coach Enzo Maresca and Chelsea fans, that value is far beyond the figure on paper.
The moment that changed the rhythm of the match
As soon as he was brought on, Estevao made an immediate difference. His pace, close control and decisive low pass set up Joao Pedro for the 2-0. It was more than just an assist; it signalled Chelsea’s new rhythm with the 18-year-old on the pitch.
Goals in the 3-0 match
Chelsea opened the scoring through Malo Gusto, then Estevao burst into life with an assist for Joao Pedro. Alejandro Garnacho – who had assisted Gusto – continued his fine form with the pass that set up Pedro Neto to score against his former club, sealing the win.
He is the type of player who will draw crowds to the stadium.
Maresca and how to nurture a talent
Asked about the CIES Football Observatory valuation, coach Enzo Maresca said: “It’s completely understandable. Estevao is a really top player, a fantastic talent. We are trying to help him adapt and get the right amount of minutes. He is doing very well and in five or 10 years he will be a top player for Chelsea.”
“Fans pay for tickets because they want to see players like Estevao or Cole Palmer,” Maresca added. “They bring joy to the audience. Little by little, Estevao will start playing for the team in the future.”
Value far exceeds 100 million pounds
CIES data values Estevao at over £100m, making him the second most valuable teenager in the world. But it’s the feeling he creates every time he touches the ball – the anticipation and excitement – that Maresca and the crowd cling to. With Chelsea without Cole Palmer injured, Estevao is an instant inspiration, reviving the sense of anticipation at every touch.
Immediate impact and prospects
It would be unusual to devote so much of the page to a player who didn’t score, playing just 26 minutes in a 3-0 win. But Estevao was hardly one to be ecstatic about. His assist against Wolverhampton may not have been as thunderous as the winner against Liverpool last month, but it was still the next piece in a string of convincing displays, coming on the heels of his second Champions League goal against Qarabag.
The win temporarily lifted Chelsea to second place in the Premier League. At 18, Estevao has captivated Stamford Bridge, and as Maresca admits, it is not a question of “when” but “how long” before he becomes a regular starter.
