ESTEVAO WILLIAN stole the show as Chelsea cruised to a win over Erik ten Hag’s Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues didn’t look much like a team that had merely a few weeks off after winning the Club World Cup this summer, and were led to the win by a mighty impressive teenage sensation.
The scoreline perhaps didn’t reflect the level of dominance in the Blues’ display, as they held on to an early lead given to them by 18-year-old Estevao in the 18th minute, before fellow Brazilian newbie Joao Pedro doubled their lead with a fine finish at the death.
The home fans got a good look at SIX new stars making their Stamford Bridge bow, and the returning Andrey Santos, who are all expected to have a big part to play this season in the form of Liam Delap, Estevao, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, Pedro and Jorrell Hato.
Here’s how SunSport’s Chelsea Reporter Lloyd Canfield rated the players…
FILIP JORGENSEN – 8
A few fine saves to deny Leverkusen a first-half goal, in what was a pretty impressive all-around performance.
Wasn’t troubled often, if at all in the second half by Leverkusen, but was alert at all times and showed good distribution too.
No complaints.
MALO GUSTO – 6
Built on an impressive Club World Cup campaign with another good showing here, he seems to be really improving going forwards with some dangerous shots causing trouble for ex-Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Notably looks a much better player when he’s allowed to overlap the right-winger, rather than inverting into midfield as Marc Cucurella does so well.
Was let down on a few occasions by his final delivery into the box, when the ball was played to him on the edge, with Maresca looking frustrated with that at times.
JOSH ACHAEMPONG – 7
Everyone associated with Chelsea knows that Josh Acheampong is the next up in a long line of successful Cobham graduates.
After sporadic minutes last season, it remains to be seen how he will grow at Chelsea, but looked comfortable at centre-back today with some good tackles and interceptions, winning most of his aerial duels too.
He might not be the answer to the Levi Colwill injury dilemma just yet, but he will be a big player for this club in the future when he does blossom.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 6
Trevoh Chalobah looked comfortable throughout the first 45 minutes, leading the team from the back and helping out the young Josh Acheampong next to him.
He wasn’t challenged a huge amount by a relatively unthreatening Leverkusen frontline, but did what he had to do well.
MARC CUCURELLA – 8
Pre-season? What’s that?
You have to wonder if Marc Cucurella knows the definition, because he played this match as well as any other, at the top of his game.
In fine form defensively and a real threat going forward when inverting into midfield before being subbed at half-time for Jorrell Hato.
ANDREY SANTOS – 7
It was a brilliant bit of deep-lying playmaking from Andrey Santos that set up the move that saw Chelsea open the scoring early in the first half.
He looked sharp in midfield, spraying balls from left to right and showing a desire to win everything in midfield next to Caicedo.
His chemistry with Estevao was also evident, and he is a really impressive player in transition.
MOISES CAICEDO (C) – 7
Captaining the side on their return to Stamford Bridge, it was business as usual for Moises Caicedo against Leverkusen.
A heap of crunching tackles and interceptions, and a comfortable performance on the ball too before being swapped for new-boy Dario Essugo at half-time.
ESTEVAO – 9
Estevao? More like Este-wow.
Chelsea fans are already in love with their latest Brazilian star, after he scored from close range to get his first goal for the club on his debut before kissing the badge in front of the supporters.
The synergy between him and Cole Palmer seemed as if the pair had been playing for the entirety of their very short careers, as the pair rotated between the right-hand side and the number ten role to inflict maximum damage on Leverkusen.
His dribbling, passing range, pace and flexibility to play across the frontline with an exquisite final ball will make him a superstar at Stamford Bridge.
COLE PALMER – 7
Cole Palmer wearing the number 10 shirt at Stamford Bridge just looks right, the kind of seamless transition that Eden Hazard also undertook when he went from 17 to 10.
It was Palmer’s effort on the half-volley rattling the crossbar that allowed Estevao to tap home from close range.
He and Estevao seemed to have a great understanding from the jump, as he displayed some of the passing ability and creative talents that make him such a special player.
Palmer was replaced by Pedro Neto at half-time and took a slight knock in the first half after a heavy tackle by Jarell Quansah, but played on and looked okay.
TYRIQUE GEORGE – 4
It was a mixed bag of a performance from the young Tyrique George, who is rumoured to be moving away from Stamford Bridge in some form this summer.
A great early cross perhaps should have rewarded him with an assist, but aside from that he failed to really get into the game or deliver any real end product – one memorable shot was lashed well over the bar.
A loan move would be good for the youngster who helped save the Blues’ season against Fulham last year.
LIAM DELAP – 6
Perhaps should have opened the scoring moments before new teammate Estevao did so, after being set up to score by Marc Cucurella, but his effort was saved.
His desire, physicality and work ethic were evident from the get-go, with the former Ipswich striker chasing down every lost cause and linking up well with the players behind him.
SUBS:
JORRELL HATO (MARC CUCURELLA, 46) – 4
Perhaps the least impressive of Chelsea’s new signings, Hato looked a little rusty on first impressions at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca said in the week that he would need time to adapt, and that may well be the case, as he misplaced a few passes and didn’t offer what Marc Cucurella could when going forward.
An extremely talented young defender, though, who will certainly improve as life goes on for him at Chelsea.
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
DARIO ESSUGO (MOISES CAICEDO, 46) – 6
A solid showing from Moises Caicedo’s new understudy as he made his Stamford Bridge debut.
Looks like a classy player on the ball with a few neat passes in midfield, and was always an option at the base of midfield for the players around him.
Perhaps didn’t have the intensity in his game and Kante-like ability to win every ball that Moises Caicedo offers, but not many players in world football do.
PEDRO NETO (COLE PALMER, 46) – 5
Showed everything you’d expect from Pedro Neto after being introduced in the second half.
Lots of running and intensity, but his final ball was slightly off it as he returned to action after a very impressive Club World Cup run.
Outshone by Estevao in this one, and those two look set to battle it out for a spot on the right-hand side here next season.
TOSIN ADARABIOYO (TREVOH CHALOBAH, 46) – 6
Pretty much the same as Trevoh Chalobah in the first half.
Didn’t have a lot to do, but when called upon did his job well as he marshalled the defence and guided Josh Acheampong and Aaron Anselmino next to him.
JOAO PEDRO (LIAM DELAP, 64) – 8
With almost half the time to make an impact on the game as what Delap had, it was Joao Pedro who won in this game in the battle to start as the number nine vs Crystal Palace on the opening day of the Premier League season.
The Brazilian executed a fine finish into the bottom left corner with the final kick of the game to double Chelsea’s lead, and continued the fine form he showed at the Club World Cup.
JAMIE GITTENS (TYRIQUE GEORGE, 64) – 6
Chelsea fans have got another lad to be excited about here.
Always ready to take on his man, he showed bursts of electric pace within moments of making his Stamford Bridge bow.
It would be good to get a better look at him when the Blues take on AC Milan here on Sunday, as it just felt he didn’t quite have long enough to make a real impact in terms of end product.
REECE JAMES (MALO GUSTO, 65) – 7
Chelsea’s captain continued a run of fine form with today’s performance.
Solid defensively, and lead the team from the back, showing composure on the ball whenever called upon.
SAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (ANDREY SANTOS, 76) – 5
Looked solid in midfield, but didn’t get much time on the ball with limited minutes.
AARON ANSELMINO (JOSH ACHEAMPONG, 76) – 5
Didn’t have much time to make an impact, and wasn’t really challenged at the back.
GENESIS ANTWI (ESTEVAO, 77) – 7
Chelsea’s young and exciting winner will claim the assist for Joao Pedro’s goal, with a good cut-back from the byline.
Considering he played for such a short amount of time, was able to make the most of little minutes with a goal contribution to his name.
Read the full article here