Estevao Willian receives Jose Mourinho praise after Chelsea beat Benfica in Champions League

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has acknowledged that he has been left impressed by Chelsea winger Estevao Willian.

On Tuesday night, Mourinho witnessed his side suffer a 1-0 defeat to his former club on matchday two of the league phase of the Champions League.

Chelsea, on the whole, produced an indifferent performance and were having to fight until the full-time whistle to earn a welcome three points at Stamford Bridge.

However, one of the shining lights of the evening was Estevao, who was introduced in the second half and dazzled with his dribbling skills on the flank and down the centre of the pitch.

© Imago

Mourinho heaps praise on Estevao

Speaking after the game in West London, Mourinho was quizzed on the development of the 18-year-old, who has already racked up more game time than had been initially anticipated on the back of his transfer from Palmeiras.

Mourinho told TNT Sports Brazil: "Estevao is a talent. People might have thought he would take time to adapt because of his youth, immaturity, and the competition he has at Chelsea

"But he arrived, is playing at the highest level and is a player with great potential.”

© Imago

How do Estevao's numbers look at Chelsea?

Many Chelsea fans would have expected the teenager to be restricted to appearances off the substitutes' bench given his prior workload at Palmeiras.

Nevertheless, Estevao has already been given 326 minutes by Enzo Maresca, that game time spread across eight outings.

His only official assist is the cross for an Enzo Fernandez goal against West Ham United, but his deflected delivery also found the Argentine for his effort versus Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend.

Estevao's minutes would have increased had he not been withdrawn in the aftermath of Robert Sanchez's red card against Manchester United on September 20.

He will ultimately be largely judged on his dribbling stats and Fotmob says that Estevao, with 4.0, is currently third  in the rankings for most successful dribbles per 90 minutes, only trailing Jeremy Doku and Mohammed Kudus.