Enzo Maresca has his own 'unbelievable' Eden Hazard at Chelsea after Estevao Willian agreement

Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin has said Estevao Willian reminds him a bit of Eden Hazard during his days at Stamford Bridge. Estevao is the talk of the town at the moment following his memorable stoppage time winner against Liverpool before the international break to cap off an impressive start to life with the Blues.

Signed last summer, Estevao arrived in SW6 a few months ago after spending the 2024/25 campaign at Palmeiras. Chelsea and head coach Enzo Maresca are in charge of ensuring Estevao, who is just 18-years-old, settles into life in a brand new country and culture, as well as a different intensity on the pitch.

Thus far, though, the teenage sensation has not seemed fazed whatsoever. Estevao has made nine appearances for Chelsea in all competitions - including six in the Premier League - where he has scored one goal and assisted one as well.

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Supporters have been mightily impressed - and excited - by his performances, with Estevao showing his directness and trickery on a consistent basis so far. This has inevitably drawn comparisons to Hazard, who will go down as one of the greatest to ever do it at Stamford Bridge.

Nevin has picked out similarities between Estevao and Hazard, and believes the former could become one of the very best in world football in the future.

"Estevao has been exactly what I hoped for," Nevin said to OLBG. "I think he could be one of the best. It is a lot to ask of a kid who is 18, but he has got everything, everything you need.

"Next off the Brazilian production line, like Neymar. It's a good solid start, but I'll tell you what underlines it. I was at the Chelsea vs Liverpool game just the other week and the ball went out to him and the noise in the stadium is different from every single other player.

"That is wow, not many can do that. So nice solid start, but he's a kid that can go wherever he likes. He's unbelievably good."

Nevin continued: "Style-wise, Chelsea have got this long list from Gianfranco Zola, Eden Hazard - Juan Mata was much, much loved down there. It goes all the way back to Charlie Cooke.

"Chelsea have got a whole list of these little creative players that they absolutely love. Estevao will be one of them. If Chelsea treat him right, if they stick by him, if he doesn't get injured, he will be in that pantheon. There's a couple of ifs in there, but [he's] definitely capable.

"Which one of them is he more like? He's probably closer to Neymar. He's not really like them, but creative, small, playing for Chelsea and could be world-class very soon. He's up there and he should be one of them because he is good enough."

Nevin is in agreement with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who back in August compared Estevao with Hazard. "He could become an Eden Hazard for Chelsea," said Hasselbaink. "Look, I don't normally like to compare players; it's a big comparison because his future is bright.

"The boy has got everything, looks like a star. He takes the ball, he's very brave, understands the game already, runs without the ball a lot - what I don't see much in modern football. You can see he's playing with a smile on his face.

"A lot of these boys nowadays are very uptight because the pressure is immense. But if you've got a player that's smiling, I think yeah, enjoy the game a little bit. So he is definitely going to be one of those. He will bring character and light-heartedness to Chelsea's attack."

Estevao featured in both of Brazil's matches during the international break, but was used from the bench in Tuesday's defeat to Japan. The Brazilian is due to return to the UK on Wednesday and is likely to be present at Chelsea's training base in Cobham to take part in a session on Thursday ahead of the weekend's crucial Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.