Di Matteo's Pleasant Surprise: Chelsea's Teenage Sensation
Former Chelsea manager and player Roberto Di Matteo has admitted he has been taken aback by the rapid development and maturity of one of the club's young stars this season. Speaking ahead of a monumental Premier League clash, Di Matteo singled out 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estevao for particular praise, highlighting his impressive adjustment to life in England.
Chelsea's Form and the Rise of a 'Humble Guy'
After a somewhat uncertain beginning to the campaign, Chelsea have hit a rich vein of form, suffering just a single defeat in their last eleven outings. This formidable run includes statement victories against heavyweight rivals Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona, propelling them to second place in the Premier League table. The stage is now set for a titanic encounter this Sunday as the Blues host league leaders Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. A win for Enzo Maresca's side would see them slash the gap to the Gunners to a mere three points.
While the squad boasts established talents, it is the emergence of young Estevao, signed for a potential £51million last summer, that has the fanbase buzzing with excitement. Di Matteo, the man who masterminded Chelsea's 2012 Champions League triumph, expressed his admiration on Sky Sports. "It amazes me how mature he is for his age," Di Matteo stated. "I watched him in the FIFA Club World Cup... but to expect him to come to England, a new country, new language, new environment, and start off so well, that did surprise me a little bit."
The former midfielder was quick to credit the player's character, adding, "But you meet him and he’s a really humble guy. He’s got a great family behind him, so he’s very settled in London, in Cobham." Despite Maresca's cautious approach to starting him in the league, Estevao has already notched five goals in 17 appearances, with the majority coming in the Champions League, and has become a key figure for the Brazilian national team.
The Arsenal Challenge and a 'Special Talent'
Di Matteo also turned his attention to the formidable challenge posed by Arsenal, acknowledging their dominant form. "At the moment they look unstoppable," he said. "They’ve been very consistent... they’re very solid now, their defensive organisation is brilliant." He did, however, identify a potential weakness, suggesting that beating their intense high press could create opportunities.
Ultimately, the conversation returned to the prodigious talent exciting everyone at Stamford Bridge. Recalling his first viewing, Di Matteo revealed, "When I first watched him in the States I was like, 'wow, this is a special talent'." He tempered expectations by noting the player's youth but concluded with a firm prediction: "He has so many skills and attributes and he’s only going to get better. He’s going to be a top, top player." With fans clamouring for his inclusion against Arsenal, all eyes will be on whether Estevao gets the chance to influence this critical title-race showdown.
