Estevao's form shows Chelsea's 'first-mover advantage'

The Athletic's James Horncastle says Estevao Willian's impressive start at Chelsea "doesn't seem out of the ordinary" because of the philosophy of the club's ownership.

"Since the Boehly-Clearlake takeover, and the acquisition of Strasbourg as part of the multi-club structure, Chelsea have tried to go to Brazil early and get players before we've seen them play in one of Europe's top five leagues," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues podcast.

"That first-mover advantage was there for all to see at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with Estevao's performance.

"The coordination for his goal was quite magnificent. If you're Carlo Ancelotti going into the World Cup, you're pretty excited to have Estevao.

"It's really interesting the context and environment in which he has gone into Chelsea.

"It is a very different club these days to what it was under Roman Abramovich and Marina Granovskaia, when they would sign super-talented young players but maybe not this early.

"Instead of a young player coming into a team surrounded by gristled, seasoned pros, it's a really young team. It doesn't seem out of the ordinary that Estevao is playing and performing in the way he is.

"It isn't like it would have been a few years ago where he'd have a Didier Drogba or Olivier Giroud ahead of him in the pecking order - it's Joao Pedro or one of the wingers they are using as false nines.

"Remember how difficult it was for Chelsea to bring some of those really talented academy players into the first team - it took the transfer ban under Frank Lampard for many of them to feature - but in this current Chelsea those young players are getting those opportunities."

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