Estêvão outshines Lamine Yamal to show why he is Chelsea’s rare diamond | Chelsea

All the things Lamine Yamal does oozes high quality. Even when he’s strolling about wanting dejected, which he did fairly a bit at Stamford Bridge, he does it with the nonchalant grace of a star. He caresses the ball fairly than kicking it, producing outstanding energy from restricted back-lift. He performs on the balls of his ft, all the time alert, all the time capable of go both means. He glides fairly than runs, however does so at pace. He has already completed as runner-up within the Ballon d’Or. However he was not one of the best 18-year-old right-sided ahead on the pitch on Tuesday, not even shut.

In Estêvão, introduced in from Palmeiras for a payment that might rise to £52m, Chelsea have recruited a participant who might find yourself as one of many perfect. He has been making increasingly of an impression since scoring the late winner towards Liverpool final month. His final 4 begins for Chelsea have introduced 4 objectives, and he additionally scored in each of Brazil’s friendlies throughout the worldwide break. It’s very early, however Brazil might ultimately have discovered the participant they desperately wished to have present in Neymar.

Estevão’s objective, scored after 55 minutes to completely seal a win that hadn’t actually been unsure from the second the Barcelona captain Ronald Araújo was despatched off simply earlier than half-time, was a basic. Partly, it was about Chelsea profitable the ball again and Reece James’s cross, however primarily it was concerning the Brazilian scurrying at terrifying pace, feinting left and proper, dismissing Alejandro Balde and Pau Cubarsí and lashing a shot excessive previous Joan García.

The mantra of “You’re only a shit Estêvão,” directed at Lamine Yamal might have been exaggeratedly harsh on the Spaniard, and will not have scanned, however there was no doubting which of the 2 had come out on prime.

Estêvão is 80 days older and has performed 22 video games fewer however in the intervening time he appears to be like a extra strong participant – and common Premier League expertise is simply more likely to amplify that.

It’s been a function of the Champions League this season simply how a lot of a bodily edge Premier League groups have over their European rivals. Liverpool have struggled bodily within the Premier League this season however overwhelmed Actual Madrid. Newcastle beat Athletic Bilbao primarily by having some greater blokes to assault balls within the field.

And Chelsea, after some uneasy moments within the opening quarter, by the halfway level of the primary half had imposed themselves on Barcelona. The ploy of utilizing Pedro Neto and his tempo by means of the center was emphatically vindicated.

The opener had felt imminent for no less than 5 minutes earlier than it arrived. It was no nice shock it got here from a set play, an space of the sport wherein it looks like Premier League golf equipment are taking part in with diamonds whereas the remainder of the world remains to be utilizing conkers. Barça can’t rating a standard personal objective, after all, however have to decorate it with a one-two in a decent house and a backheel nutmeg. Nonetheless embellished the end, although, the trigger was a slick interchange from a nook that created house for Marc Cucurella to cross for Enzo Fernández.

However the benefit doesn’t simply present from an attacking standpoint. Lamine Yamal acquired the higher of Cucurella solely sometimes and appeared at instances shocked, even perhaps disheartened by a few blocks.

That frustration would have critical penalties because it led to Lamine Yamal plunging over Cucurella’s leg in an try and win a free-kick, which in flip led to Araújo being booked for his protests. When Araújo – was he nonetheless seething? Conscious of his facet’s limitations? Outsmarted? – lunged at Cucurella a couple of minutes later the end result was inevitable and successfully settled the sport.

Maybe Barça might have hunkered down, defended in a low block and hoped to pinch one thing on the break, as Everton had performed at Manchester United on Monday, nevertheless it’s laborious to think about two managers extra various in perspective than David Moyes and Hansi Flick.

A group set as much as defend with a line as excessive as Barcelona’s actually has nowhere to go when they’re decreased to 10. They dropped off a bit, however Chelsea nonetheless stored driving into the house behind the again line, acquired a 3rd from Liam Delap and, in the event that they’d actually wanted to, might most likely have added a pair extra.

It’s solely the group stage and issues can change within the spring as collected fatigue begins to sap at English sides however the sample of Premier League dominance by means of tempo and energy is evident.

Lamine Yamal was withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, wandering to the bench with a way of rueful resignation, pursued by a handful of half-hearted jeers. However there was no have to goad him; the battle was already misplaced and decisively so. Estêvão, the clear victor, left the pitch to a rapturous ovation three minutes later. His have been the honours, and Chelsea’s the factors.