[BBC]Matthew Hobbs - BBC Sport journalistWed, November 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM UTC·1 min readEstevao Willian had made just 35 senior starts for Brazilian club Palmeiras when Chelsea agreed to pay an initial £29m. Performances so far suggest the London club have signed a serious talent for what is already a bargain price.
The 18-year-old's start against Barcelona on Tuesday night was just his eighth for the Blues in all competitions since swapping South America for north London in June – and he lit up Stamford Bridge with a moment of individual brilliance in the second half to double Chelsea's lead.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEstevao's brilliant goal has ensured he is already mixing in esteemed company, making him just the third teenager to score in his first three Champions League starts after Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
Estevao had also netted from the penalty spot on his first Champions League start in October's 5-1 win against Ajax, and then scored again on his second start in the 2-2 draw at Qarabag earlier this month.
The teen sensation has now got 11 Brazil caps and scored five goals in his past six club appearances, though he is yet to be fully trusted in the Premier League. He has not started in the league since the 3-1 home defeat by Brighton in September
He has, however, made his mark as a substitute in the top flight, scoring a 95th-minute winner versus Liverpool in October. Some way to score your first goal in the Premier League.
