The stats behind Estevao's breakout campaign that'll excite Chelsea fans

 

The 2024 Brasileirao season wrapped up over the weekend with Botafogo RJ crowned champions. In the end it was Gregore, who the previous week was sent off in the Copa Libertadores final after just two minutes, who scored the late goal that crowned Artur Jorge’s side as champions in the 2-1 win over Sao Paulo. For Chelsea fans, though, the main talking point was the performances of Willian Estevao. 

 

The Blues announced that a deal was in place to sign the teenager in the first window after he turns 18. That means as of July 1st 2025, Estevao will officially make the move to Chelsea. For some supporters, that can’t come soon enough. Chelsea aren’t exactly short of wingers this season. They did, after all, sign Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho, the latter joining on loan with an obligation to make the move permanent next year, over the summer

 

 

With Noni Madueke and Mikhailo Mudryk already on the books, Enzo Maresca has a fair share of exciting wide players to call upon. However, Estevao’s form for Palmeiras this season has many salivating at the prospect of one of the finest teenagers plying their trade in west London. 

 

Estevao has drawn comparisons with South American icons Lionel Messi and Neymar. At one point, he was nicknamed ‘Messinho’ such is the similar playing styles of the pair. Chelsea feel they have a superstar in the making on the hands, which was why they paid a reported €34m to sign the teenager back in June. 

 

And if Estevao’s 2024 form was anything to go by, it’s easy to see why the Blues moved quickly to land the Brazilian. Indeed, even as Palmeiras finished second, six points behind Botafogo, Estevao was the star of the season. The 17-year-old returned a WhoScored rating of 7.38, that better than any other player. 

 

The soon-to-be-Chelsea winger ranked third for goals (13) and second for assists, those coming from respective returns of 85 shots and 49 key passes. Yet there was more to Estevao’s season than just his showings in front of goal. One of his five statistically calculated WhoScored strengths is ‘dribbling’ and for good reason, with Estevao finishing the campaign having completed the third most dribbles (84). For context, this was a metric led by Luiz Henrique (91), who registered 443 minutes more game time than his compatriot. 

 

Then there was the hard work off the ball that caught the eye. As with any forward player, they now need to press defences out of possession to force turnovers in dangerous areas of the pitch as another route to goal. This was another area that Estevao shone, winning possession in the attacking third the fourth most times (25). 150 ground duels won ranked 13th, meanwhile. 

 

 

It's these performances out of possession that will have really appealed to Maresca, who has watched his Chelsea side win possession in the attacking third the fifth most times (75) in the Premier League this season. Cole Palmer (15) leads his metric for the Blues, while winger Noni Madueke (10) ranks third. While there is a gulf in quality between the Brasileirao and the Premier League, the ease with which Estevao’s compatriots have settled in for their respective sides following moves from Brazil to England – Joao Gomes, Andre and Danilo to name three, albeit in different positions – should fill the player with confidence he can adjust accordingly. 

 

In his first full league season, Estevao set the Brasileirao alight and it bodes well as he gears up to make the next step in his career. A 2024 to remember provides the ideal foundation for Estevao to make a name for himself, and his Palmeiras performances this season should certainly excite Chelsea supporters.

The stats behind Estevao's breakout campaign that'll excite Chelsea fans