Chelsea prodigy in line for second Premier League start way ahead of schedule | OneFootball

This is a syndication of the article originally published for the BBC, here.

He has a first Premier League start, he has a first assist for Chelsea, he even has a song. Estevao Willian was supposed to be worked gradually into the picture at Stamford Bridge, but circumstances have accelerated the whole process significantly.

Fans were warned for a long time before he arrived that he was going to need time to adapt to life in England and to the Premier League. But any attempts to temper expectations have been ruined by his dynamic start to life in west London.

He shone in two friendlies, then had a chance for a league start before the end of August handed to him by Cole Palmer’s late withdrawal from the squad on Friday night as the Blues prepared to face West Ham.

He played 77 electric minutes in the end, contributing to the demolition of a rotten Hammers team.

Estevao making sensible caution look foolish

Estevao Willian with a Chelsea News logo. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

But Estevao’s breathtaking ability isn’t the only impressive thing about him. He is also unbelievably mature, taking everything in his stride and looking as comfortable starting in the Premier League for his new team as he did for his boyhood club in the Brasileirao.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s attempts to bring the winger down to earth a little by using his post-game interview to point to Estevao’s errant flick which was turned into West Ham’s opening goal are understandable – but felt futile.

The valiant efforts by Maresca to try to stop the hype building to damaging levels can only do so much when the teenager looks so good and so confident on the pitch. He’s already more than a rising star, and increasingly the problem for the manager is going to be how to avoid the rising calls to start him every week; rather than how best to work him into the action slowly and safely.

Will Faulks @willfaulks