Estevao Willian: The Brazilian gem with thunderous shots

01/12/2025 23:07:00 ceshi

From dribbling in a church in Brazil to making a mark in the Premier League and Champions League, Estevao Willian, only 18, is drawing all eyes on him.

In his personal belongings, Estevao Willian always keeps a Bible as a symbol of his heritage and faith. Raised in a religious family in Franca (Brazil), the young player was taught by his father to cherish the ball and treat it with respect.

From the church to Chelsea’s training ground

Few know the special story behind the name "Estevao." Estevao Willian’s father, Ivo, was once a pastor at the local church in Franca, a city in Sao Paulo state (Brazil). Legend has it that Ivo once met a woman entering the church who prophesied he would have a son in the future.

Ivo later married and had a son. He and his wife named the boy "Estevao," meaning "crown." To his parents, Estevao was a gift from God.

The church itself also played a role in shaping Estevao Willian’s football skills from an early age. While Ivo prayed in a nearby room, the boy practiced dribbling among the wooden pews.

Over time, Estevao Willian grew up playing for the youth teams of Cruzeiro and then Palmeiras before moving to Chelsea for a fee possibly reaching £56 million.

The Samba star quickly became a sensation in the Premier League due to his technique, explosiveness, and humble spirit. He scored against Barcelona in the Champions League, becoming the focal point at Stamford Bridge.

Behind that performance were countless hours of sweat on the training pitch. Chelsea designed special exercises to help Estevao and their young players adjust to the physical demands of English football. Estevao was made to run around a circle marked by cones, constantly colliding with other young players and learning how to absorb heavy contact.

Additionally, regularly facing the tenacious left-back Marc Cucurella in one-on-one drills helped Estevao Willian quickly understand the harshness of the Premier League.

Cucurella is extremely serious in training. Earlier this week, the Spanish defender joked that Estevao Willian should remember to wear shin guards in the session before the Barcelona match, as Cucurella prepared to face Yamal. He was later named man of the match after effectively neutralizing the 18-year-old talent in the win over Barca.

Estevao Willian also had to endure extra drills, running up and down while fitness coach Marcos Alvarez continuously disrupted and challenged him to increase difficulty.

Moreover, Estevao is working on increasing his muscle mass through a personalized gym program.

Estevao commands attention with his performances

Estevao’s "thunderbolt" shots

Anyone who witnessed his solo goal against Barcelona—where the Brazilian weaved between Alejandro Balde and Pau Cubarsi before firing a shot at roughly 104 km/h—knows that once Estevao finds his rhythm, stopping him is nearly impossible.

That goal recalls the rocket he once scored for Palmeiras against Chelsea at the Club World Cup. Interestingly, those powerful strikes somewhat contrast with the lessons his father taught him from a young age.

Estevao is the precious gem Chelsea must cherish

Ivo taught his son to treat the ball gently if he wanted it to go where he desired. That’s why Estevao Willian kissed the ball before taking a penalty against Ajax last month. Still, he followed it with a thunderous strike that made him Chelsea’s youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League.

Estevao himself developed toughness by playing with older boys growing up. They were stronger, tougher, and more aggressive. A kick to the knee, an elbow to the stomach, and no fouls were called by referees—even when Ivo, his father, was officiating.

Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, is trying not to put too much pressure on Estevao Willian too early. He is integrating him gradually into the first team, as Pedro Neto, who plays the same position, has started every Premier League match this season.

Maresca’s system relies heavily on wingers winning one-on-one battles, but the message to Estevao Willian is always clear: enjoy football, ignore outside expectations, and focus on yourself.

Chelsea has never officially announced the length of Estevao’s contract, but sources from Daily Mail Sport report that he is signed until 2033. The contract could be improved over time, but it is still too early to say for sure.

Estevao Willian currently has 5 goals and 1 assist in 17 matches (before the Arsenal game). Chelsea is likely very pleased to have secured this teenage talent from Palmeiras ahead of all other clubs. It can be said they possess a raw gem who could become a major star at Stamford Bridge in the future.

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