Not every transfer has panned out the way they planned, but Chelsea have built themselves a brilliant squad over the last few years.
The likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro wouldn’t look out of place in any other Premier League side.
Moreover, while it’s still early days, it looks like Enzo Maresca and Co have a genuine world-class superstar in the making with Estêvão.
The Brazilian has been incredible so far this season, so Chelsea fans should be delighted about reports linking them to someone who could end up being another Estêvão.
Chelsea target their next Estêvão
There has long been a lot of hype around Estêvão, so much so, in fact, that respected analyst Ben Mattinson labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” a few months before Chelsea even signed him.
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Now, there is still a long way to go until the teenager reaches that level, but he has already been sensational for the Blues this season.
For example, in 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, he has provided one assist and scored five goals, including a stunner against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the club are now interested in another young star, Assan Ouédraogo, who could potentially emulate the Brazilian.
Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea are one of a few clubs keen on signing the RB Leipzig gem.
Alongside the West Londoners, Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029.
Unfortunately, there is no release clause in that deal, so the fee needed to sign the German could end up being rather significant, as much as £50m according to further reports out of Germany in the last few months.
Even so, given Ouédraogo’s ability and potential, this is a transfer Chelsea should pursue, especially as he could be another Estêvão.
Why Ouédraogo could be another Estêvão for Chelsea
So, the first thing to point out is that, yes, the two youngsters primarily play in different positions.
Ouédraogo has spent this season playing as a central and attacking midfielder, while Estêvão has spent most of this year on the right.
However, while the pair do not necessarily operate in the same areas of the pitch, both are highly rated youngsters who seem destined to reach the top of the game.
For example, while Chelsea fans are more than familiar with the Brazilian’s exploits so far this season, they likely don’t know that the German has been even more productive.
In 12 first-team appearances, totalling 561 minutes, the Leipzig gem has scored three goals and provided four assists, which comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 80.14 minutes.
Moreover, the Mülheim an der Ruhr-born prospect has already made quite the impression at the international level.
After blitzing his way up through the various youth levels, he was handed his first senior cap for Germany earlier this month, and instead of just coming on and focusing on not making a mistake, he scored.
Finally, on top of already producing goal involvements for fun, the £22k-per-week gem has some unreal underlying numbers to back up exactly why content creator Neal Gardner has described him as a “powerhouse.”
Goals
0.48
Top 1%
Assists
0.48
Top 1%
Goals + Assists
0.97
Top 1%
Yellow Cards
0.00
Top 1%
npxG: Non-Penalty xG
0.31
Top 1%
Shots Total
2.90
Top 1%
Shots on Target
1.45
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
1.13
Top 1%
Touches (Att Pen)
4.83
Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons
1.77
Top 1%
Carries into Penalty Area
0.97
Top 1%
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, assists, shots on target, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, carries into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while it’s still early in his career, it’s hard to disagree with Mattinson’s assessment that Ouédraogo is a “beast ready to be unleashed” and therefore capable of being another Estêvão for Chelsea.
Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"
Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become another Estevao for Enzo Maresca.
ByJack Salveson Holmes
