As Chelsea thrashed Barcelona 3-0 within the Champions League, former Stamford Bridge star Pat Nevin was left in awe of Estevao Willian, who scored a shocking particular person effort in a real breakout efficiency for the younger Brazilian.
The Blues began as they meant to go on, nearly inviting Hansi Flick’s high-line, baiting Barcelona in. The Spaniards had been handed loads of warning indicators, too. Wesley Fofana’s hand spared their early blushes, earlier than the linesman’s flag urged that Flick had picked his tactic nicely for the journey to Stamford Bridge. However the inevitable was clear.
Come the Twenty seventh-minute, Barcelona and Jules Kounde accomplished the job that Enzo Fernandez believed he’d accomplished twice prior by discovering the again of the online at hand Chelsea the lead. The personal objective opened the gate in a half of onslaught that merely didn’t relaxation after the break, when West London was handled to the Estevao present.
On an evening centred round one of many early 2026 Ballon d’Or favourites Lamine Yamal, it was Chelsea’s teen who shined brightest to attain an exquisite objective within the Fifty fifth-minute. The 18-year-old is proving to be among the finest signings of the Todd Boehly period.
Apart from Ferran Torres’ wasted effort early on, Barcelona did not have a sniff in opposition to Enzo Maresca’s dominant aspect. This was no 2005 show from the Spanish membership. As an alternative, it was excellency from the hosts within the Champions League as they secured their biggest-ever win in opposition to Barcelona.
The spectacular victory has made it three wins from 5 within the Champions League and highlighted them as a possible darkish horse. They have loads of historical past in European soccer lately and have simply added one other night time to recollect.
Pat Nevin blown away by “completely sensible” Estevao
When information emerged earlier this week that Cole Palmer has fractured his toe in a house accident, there could have been comprehensible concern round West London about the place the Blues would proceed to seek out their spark. However Estevao would not have shared that concern. He noticed a possibility – a possibility that he is taken with each arms in opposition to Barcelona, of all sides.
He ended the night with three probabilities created, one objective, eight touches contained in the Barcelona field and deserved reward from Nevin. The previous Chelsea man was blown away by the teenage sensation, telling BBC Sport: “You understand what? Begin believing the hype! Estevao Willian is EXTRA particular!
“The best way he goes previous the primary participant, there is no such thing as a house in anyway and he leaves him for useless. He did it simply by pure talent and quick toes. He nonetheless had a troublesome angle to beat to complete it however he leathered it into the online.
“He’s going to be completely and completely sensible. It is not a query of if, it’s a query of when and the way good he’s going to be.”
