Christmas Eve Surprise: Estêvão Willian Back in Chelsea Squad Ahead of Aston Villa Clash
Chelsea fans were handed a festive boost on Christmas Eve after head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed that Brazilian wonderkid Estêvão Willian is fit and available for Saturday’s Premier League showdown against Aston Villa.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca revealed that the highly rated attacker has fully recovered after missing the Blues’ last two fixtures, putting him back in contention at a crucial point in the campaign.
The big dilemma now facing the Chelsea boss is how best to use the electric forward.
With competition fierce in the wide areas — including the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Pedro Neto — Maresca must decide whether to trust Estêvão from the first whistle or unleash him later as an impact substitute.
Two options on the table:
Start him: Hand Estêvão an immediate return to the XI, potentially pushing one of Garnacho or Neto to the bench.
Super sub: Ease him back in, bringing him on for the final 30 minutes to exploit tiring Villa defenders.
Many within the Chelsea camp believe the second option could be the most dangerous for Unai Emery’s side, allowing Estêvão’s pace, flair, and direct dribbling to stretch a defence late in the game.
The 17-year-old Brazilian has been one of the season’s most exciting prospects, and his return adds another layer of unpredictability to Chelsea’s attack as they look to build momentum over the festive period.
With Stamford Bridge set for a lively atmosphere, all eyes will be on Maresca’s team sheet — and whether Estêvão’s comeback begins from the start or as a game-changing weapon off the bench. 🔵⚽
