Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Chelsea summer signing Estevao Willian, insisting he has ‘great potential’ and is already ‘playing at the highest level’.
Chelsea secured a deal for Brazilian sensation Estevao in the summer of 2024 but agreed to let him stay at boyhood club Palmeiras for one more season.
The Blues saw off competition from several clubs to sign Estevao, who is rated as one of the most promising young players in the world and has been compared with his compatriot Neymar.
Chelsea paid an initial £29m to sign the 18-year-old but the overall fee could rise to just under £50m if various add-ons are met.
Estevao featured for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup over the summer before finally moving to Stamford Bridge in August ahead of the 2025-26 season.
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Enzo Maresca has opted to start Estevao in four of Chelsea’s six Premier League games so far this season and the teenager made his Champions League debut as a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s win over Benfica.
‘Estevao is a talent,’ new Benfica boss Mourinho, who suffered a 1-0 defeat on his return to Stamford Bridge, told TNT Sports Brazil.
‘People might have thought he would take time to adapt because of his youth, inexperience and the competition he has at Chelsea.
‘But he arrived, is playing at the highest level and is a player with great potential.’
Estevao’s bright start to life at Stamford Bridge has also attracted praise from Chelsea hero Dennis Wise, who believes he could be the club’s ‘next superstar’.
‘He’s only young, and there’s still a long way to go, but he’s already shown what he’s capable of,’ Wise told Sky Bet.
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‘As a Brazilian international, he’s even scored his first goal for his country, which is a huge milestone at such an early stage of his career.
‘He looks every bit like a little superstar in the making. That said, he still has to prove himself on a regular basis.
‘At Chelsea, he’s got competition for his spot, so he’s got to hold that place, and make sure he’s constantly the main man in the team.
‘He’s got fantastic ability – it’s just about consistency, week in, week out. He’s also got to keep ahead of the individuals sitting behind him, waiting to get into the team, because they’ve got a lot of talent too.
‘He’s a great talent and he’ll have a massive impact on the Premier League. We’re all excited, especially because he’s only 18 years old.
‘To be doing so much at such a young age is fantastic – but he’s got to keep it going.’
Chelsea lost their Champions League opener against Bayern Munich but bounced back with a battling win over Benfica.
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