Sometimes a win is just that, but other times it feels far more consequential, as was the case for Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Enzo Maresca’s side were handed the challenging task of hosting Spanish champions Barcelona in the Champions League and blew them away.
The Blues emerged 3-0 winners, but so dominant was the display that they could have probably scored another three on a different night.
It also felt like a statement performance from the young Estêvão, so fans should be delighted that the club have already signed another prospect who could be just like him.
Estêvão's statement performance vs Barcelona
As he started Saturday’s Premier League game against Burnley on the bench, there were question marks over whether Estêvão would be given the nod in what should have been such a challenging game.
Fortunately, Maresca opted to hand the youngster his third Champions League start on the bounce, and it was in part thanks to him that the match was so one-sided.
The former Palmeiras gem was a constant threat for the Blues, darting out wide and into the middle with ease, making life particularly nightmarish for Alejandro Balde.
Moreover, it was the 18-year-old who scored the club’s all-important second goal to take the game well and truly away from Hansi Flick’s ten-man side.
It was a sensational effort as well, one that saw him get the better of two defenders with quick footwork before burying the ball into the roof of the net.
However, the “ridiculous talent,” as dubbed by one content creator, did more than just score a goal.
In his 83 minutes of action, he produced an expected assists figure of 0.35, played three key passes, created one big chance, was accurate in 100% of his long passes, took 47 touches, completed two dribbles, and recovered the ball four times.
Minutes
83′
Expected Goals
0.13
Goals
1
Expected Assists
0.35
Big Chances Created
1
Key Passes
3
Long Balls
1/1
Shots
2
Touches
47
Recoveries
4
In all, it was the sort of performance that felt like a statement, as if Estevao was announcing his presence on the world stage and as someone who will be considered among the best in years to come.
So, fans should be delighted that Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become the next Estêvão.
Chelsea's next Estêvão
It’s no secret that Chelsea have been spending big on some of the most exciting young talents from around the world in recent years.
Chalkboard
The likes of Deinner Ordonez, Kendry Páez and Dastan Sätpaev, for example, could all develop into serious players for the Blues over the next decade or so.
However, arguably the most exciting of the lot, and the one who feels like he could start emulating Estêvão the quickest, is Geovany Quenda.
The West Londoners signed the 18-year-old for an eye-watering sum of £44m in March of this year, and so to say that there are high expectations for him would be an understatement.
Fortunately, the Portuguese gem, whom respected talent scout Jacek Kulig describes as “one of the most exciting teenagers in World football,” already looks on his way to meeting them.
For example, so far this season, he has scored four goals and provided seven assists in 19 first-team appearances, totalling just 1078 minutes.
Moreover, the incredible talent also amassed 11 goal involvements for the senior side last season, and, as journalist Bobby Vincent points out, is on his way to “emulating CR7” at the Lisbon side.
Appearances
19
Starts
10
Minutes
1078′
Goals
4
Assists
7
Goal Involvements per Match
0.57
Minutes per Goal Involvement
98′
Points per Game
2.32
In fact, he actually took Ronaldo’s record of being the youngest player to score in the country’s top flight when he opened his account last year.
Finally, despite being just 18, the game-changing winger has already won 12 caps for Portugal’s U21 side, during which he’s scored five goals and provided five assists.
Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but Quenda looks like another world-class talent and, in the words of one Chelsea content creator, it’s easy to imagine him having an impact “just like Estêvão” next season.
As good as Estevao: £60m star is on his way to becoming "a Chelsea legend"
Estevao was the star of the show as Chelsea beat Barcelona in the Champions League.
ByJack Salveson Holmes
