Mourinho highly praises Chelsea's 2007-born prodigy

Jose Mourinho appreciates Estevao Willian, Chelsea's Brazilian newcomer, affirming that he has competed at the top tier and possesses the talent to become a big name.

In his very first season at Stamford Bridge, Estevao Willian has proven his worth with mature performances in the Premier League and Champions League. The young talent born in 2007 has earned Mourinho’s praise and is seen as Chelsea's new hope for the future.

Estevao was signed for £29 million from Palmeiras in the summer of 2024. However, Chelsea agreed to let him stay with the Brazilian club for another year before officially joining the London club for the 2025-2026 season. The 18-year-old striker quickly earned the trust of coach Enzo Maresca, appearing in 4 of 6 Premier League matches and delivering a strong performance in the 1-0 win over Benfica.

Mourinho, the new Benfica coach, commented: "Estevao is a talent. People might think he needs time to adapt because he’s young, inexperienced, and competing at Chelsea. But he has arrived, is playing at the highest level, and is a player with great potential."

Estevao was once dubbed the "new Neymar," and his start at Chelsea is reinforcing that belief. With skillful technique, speed, and confidence, he promises to become a feared attacking force in upcoming seasons.

Not only Mourinho, but Chelsea legend Dennis Wise also praised him: "He is still very young and has a long journey ahead, but he has already demonstrated his ability. As a Brazilian international, he even scored his first goal for the national team, a major milestone early in his career. He looks like a rising young superstar but must maintain consistent form to secure a spot in Chelsea’s lineup."

According to Wise, the fierce competition at Stamford Bridge is a big challenge for any player, especially an 18-year-old talent. Therefore, Estevao needs to keep a steady performance if he wants to become a key player under Maresca.

Although Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, the victory over Benfica helped restore some confidence. In this context, Estevao’s emergence is a bright spot, offering hope for a new star to shine at Stamford Bridge.

Can this 2007-born prodigy maintain his form and become Chelsea’s next superstar in the Premier League and Champions League?