Estevão’s Breakout Moment: Chelsea’s Hidden Gem Poised to Challenge Arsenal
28 November 2025
Estevão Emerges as Chelsea’s Rising Star
Roberto Di Matteo, former Chelsea player and coach, says he’s pleasantly surprised by an emerging talent at Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea setup this season.
After a wobbly start, Chelsea have steadied the ship, losing only one of their last 11 matches and claiming notable wins over Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona.
As a result, Chelsea rose to second in the Premier League ahead of a crucial clash with leaders Arsenal on Sunday, with a win potentially trimming the gap to three points.
The squad features established names like Marc Cucurella, Moisés Caicedo, and Enzo Fernández, but all eyes are on Estevão, the 18-year-old Brazilian who has Chelsea buzzing.
The winger joined Stamford Bridge last summer in a deal reported up to £51 million and has already become a staple for Brazil, with five goals in 17 appearances this season, mostly in the Champions League, while Enzo Maresca has been cautious about starting him in the Premier League.
Chelsea supporters are craving Estevão in the starting XI against Arsenal, and Di Matteo admits he was surprised by how quickly the 18-year-old settled into life in England, both on and off the pitch, in London and Cobham.
Di Matteo, the Italian coach who led Chelsea to the 2012 Champions League title, said: “He’s a very exciting player. When I saw him first in the United States, I said, ‘He’s an exceptional talent.’ He’s developing gradually and remains very young. He has a lot of skill and will become world-class.”
He added: “When you meet him you find he’s incredibly humble. He has a wonderful family supporting him, and he’s settled in London and at Cobham.”
Di Matteo, who guided Chelsea to the 2012 title, called Estevão an exciting prospect. “When I first saw him in the United States, I thought he was exceptional. He’s developing gradually; he’s still very young. He has lots of skills and will only improve with time. He’s on track to becoming a world-class player.”
While praising Arsenal, Di Matteo noted the only way to break their solid system: “Arsenal look unbeatable at the moment—stable not only this season but over the past two or three seasons, and they’ve grown stronger.”
“Their defensive organization is phenomenal; they’ve conceded the fewest goals in the league, yet they also possess a big attacking threat.”
“Playing against Arsenal is incredibly hard because they press high and relentlessly; you have no time on the ball. You must beat the first press. If you succeed, you’ll find space; otherwise they’ll smother you for 90 minutes.”
Punchline 1: If Estevão keeps growing at this pace, Chelsea might need a bigger trophy room just for him.
Punchline 2: And if Arsenal keep their defense this tight, maybe Chelsea will hire a magician—because stopping Estevão looks like pulling a rabbit out of a hat every week.
