Chelsea’s £51m starlet matches Haaland, Kroupi and Doku in attacking stats after superb first season

Estevao was clearly a special talent, but not many could have predicted he would have made such an instant impact at Chelsea.

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The Telegraph chose this weekend as a moment to look at the 20 best signings of the Premier League season. Chelsea have two of our summer moves in there – Estevao Willian, who comes in at 14th, and Joao Pedro in 8th.

As they point out, a potential £51m was a lot to pay for an unproven teenager – but he’s on track to make that sum look cheap after a great first season.

Chelsea starlet makes list after just 10 starts

Cole Palmer is taken off for Estevao. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Perhaps most interesting is their look at the stats which they have produced on Estevao, who has started 10 Premier League games this season:

“Only Eli Junior Kroupi (8 goals) has been involved in more Premier League goals this season as a teenager than Estêvão (4 – 2 goals, 2 assists),” they point out.

“Only Erling Haaland (2.4) and Jérémy Doku (2.36) have a higher expected goal involvements following a take-on in the Premier League this season than Estêvão (1.6 – 0.63xG, 0.97xA). Among players with at least 450 minutes in the Premier League this season, only Jeremy Doku (4.7 per 90) and Kevin (3.58 per 90) average more successful take-ons per 90 than Estêvão (3.15 per 90).”

Goals, assists, take-ons… what more do you want from your teenage Brazilian winger? It’s a sign of his importance that it’s a major blow for the Blues that he can’t face Arsenal later today.

In other news…

Chelsea’s massive game against Arsenal today would see the Blues use a tactic we’ve seen multiple times this season. We hope they have the stones to do it.

Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here: