Estevao explodes, the attacking solution for Chelsea under Maresca
At 18, Estevao has scored four goals in all competitions, leads the Premier League in xA/90 with 0.47, creates 0.79 chances/game and quickly becomes Enzo Maresca's right-hand man.
In the 95th minute against champions Liverpool, Estevao gently placed the ball into the bottom corner after a cross from Marc Cucurella, sealing a 2-1 victory for Chelsea. At 18, the Brazilian new signing not only brought in points, he also provided a clear solution to the attacking problem under Enzo Maresca: speed, vision and an above-average chance output.
The moment that defines an 18-year-old rookie
In his Premier League debut against West Ham United, Estevao made his mark with a classy dribble and assist for Enzo Fernandez. He then made his mark in the Carabao Cup with a delicate chip in a 4-3 win over Wolves, showing composure and skill in tight spaces.
In all competitions, Estevao has scored four goals, including two in the UEFA Champions League in just two starts. These moments not only tell the story of character, but also confirm the ability to translate quality into concrete results.
Statistical profile: xA/90 leading, chances created at elite level
In the Premier League, despite only starting four times and coming off the bench six times, Estevao leads the league in expected assists per 90 minutes (0.47 xA) and creates 0.79 chances per game. This is a quantitative basis for his immediate impact on Chelsea’s attack.
Within the team, Estevao is number one in a series of key metrics: successful dribbles, chances created, shots and touches in the box. That is, in every link of an attack – dribbling, assists, shots, penetration – he is present.
| Index | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Main stone (NHA) | 4 | + 6 times coming off the bench |
| xA/90 (NHA) | 0.47 | Leading the tournament |
| Good chances/match | 0.79 | Very high opportunity level |
| Goals (all competitions) | 4 | UEFA Champions League: 2 goals/2 starts |
| Maximum speed | 32.75 km/h | Independent of pure speed, outstanding in narrow processing |
| xG and xA/90 > 0.3 | Have | One of two players in the Premier League who meet this standard, along with Bukayo Saka |
Tactical role under Enzo Maresca
Estevao usually starts on the right wing, using his left foot to close in on the middle armpit and open up the decision: to finish himself or to put his teammates in a good position. He doesn’t need to sprint too fast (32.75 km/h), he wins in his handling and very direct approach to the goal.
It is his habit of charging straight towards goal with the ball that often leaves opposing defenders passive. When they drop deep, space opens up for a pass back or through ball; when they close in, Estevao's stepover and flick-on movement easily creates an angle for a left-footed finish.
Rare plus: xG and xA in tandem
Estevao is among the very few in the Premier League to average over 0.3 in both Expected Goals (xG) and Expected Assists (xA) per 90 minutes, alongside Bukayo Saka. This is the sign of a striker who can both create goals himself and lift his teammates up – a component that Chelsea have lacked in recent seasons.
Meaning to Chelsea
From Palmeiras to Stamford Bridge, Estevao has shown that this is no gamble from South America. Early contributions – an assist on his first start against West Ham United, a 95th-minute winner against Liverpool, a lob against Wolves – are testament to Maresca’s ability to translate ideas into tangible output.
With natural talent and surprising maturity, Estevao is on the fast track to becoming Chelsea's most important attacking player in the near future.
