CONFIRMATION: Chelsea has a long-term replacement for Cole Palmer

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca disclosed that new summer recruit Estevão Willian brings to mind the talent of Cole Palmer.

Estevão joined Stamford Bridge from his youth club Palmeiras in July and has quickly demonstrated promising potential since arriving in London.

The young Brazilian star became the youngest player in Chelsea’s history to provide an assist in the Premier League, during the 5-1 victory over West Ham in August. Since the start of the 2025/26 season, he has started 4 out of 6 Premier League matches.

Although coach Enzo Maresca intends to gradually integrate Estevão into the first team environment at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian player has already established an important role in the Blues’ starting lineup. Ahead of the big Premier League clash against Liverpool on Saturday evening, Maresca was asked if Estevão could take over the number 10 role from Cole Palmer (currently injured).

In the recent defeat to Brighton last weekend, Enzo Fernandez was pushed further forward, while Andrey Santos played alongside Moises Caicedo in midfield. In the midweek Champions League match against Benfica, Facundo Buonanotte was selected as the attacking midfielder. However, Estevão is widely expected to be given the opportunity against Arne Slot’s team.

Enzo Maresca comments on Estevão

Maresca shared in the pre-match press conference: “We always consider giving players the chance to play in various positions. Estevão reminds me a lot of Cole Palmer when he was with the Man City U23s under my guidance. Cole’s development path is quite similar to Estevão’s: starting from the wing and gradually moving inward. But in the Premier League, if you want to play centrally, you need to be physically prepared.”

Cole Palmer began his Chelsea career under Mauricio Pochettino as a right forward. However, from the end of the 2023-24 season, he was shifted to the number 10 role and has mostly stayed in that position since Maresca took over.

The 23-year-old star is currently attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, according to multiple sources. Although Chelsea is almost certain not to let him go, Estevão could become the replacement if that scenario occurs.

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