Chelsea lead at Stamford Bridge!
Less than 20 minutes into the friendly game against Bayer Leverkusen. the Blues have found the net. And less than 20 minutes into his Chelsea career, Estevao Willian has his first in Blue.
The winger snaffled up a chance from close range after a saved Cole Palmer effort hit the bar, finishing calmly and kissing the badge in celebration. The crowd went wild for their new star boy, as you’d expect.
It’s been total domination from the Blues so far. We were supposed to be the undercooked ones against a Leverkusen side who have played 3 friendlies already, but we look leagues ahead of them. That’s very promising for us, given we’re back in Premier League action in a week’s time.
You can see the goal in the clips embedded here:
https://twitter.com/CFCBlues_com/status/1953883940659265972
[Footage from Channel 5]
https://twitter.com/CFCBlues_com/status/1953883940659265972
Estevao stakes vital early claim in Enzo Maresca’s thinking
Estevao is not likely to be a starter for us this season, given Pedro Neto will play on one side and Cole Palmer on the other (at least in Enzo Maresca’s current configuration).
But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to play a lot of minutes, and this is the perfect start to push himself ahead of the likes of Jamie Gittens and the potentially incoming Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho in the pecking order for minutes after those two.
This eye for goal is just what Chelsea need to replace Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke from their front line. Estevao and Palmer together is going to terrify a lot of teams this season, when you add some of our other flair players into the mix, we could be set to see one of the most entertaining Blues teams in years if everything clicks.
First, let’s just win this game.