Chelsea enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 campaign under Enzo Maresca, finishing fourth in the Premier League, lifting the Conference League and capping it off with Club World Cup glory in the summer.
Their 3–0 win over PSG in the final underlined the squad’s growing maturity – even if it remains the youngest in the Premier League with an average age of 23 years and five months.
The club has continued to double down on its long-term strategy: stockpiling young talent and tying them down to lengthy contracts.
This window alone saw the arrivals of João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap for significant fees.
Chelsea’s model revolves around snapping up rising stars before their values skyrocket, while also staying compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The new season has begun with mixed results.
A pair of victories over Fulham and West Ham suggested Chelsea could carry momentum forward, but stalemates with Crystal Palace and Brentford exposed lingering inconsistencies.
Part of that inconsistency stems from turnover in key attacking areas – most notably the departure of Noni Madueke.
Madueke's departure and his replacement by Estevão
Madueke’s Chelsea career always carried intrigue.
Signed as a right-winger with flair and directness, he contributed 20 goals and nine assists in 92 appearances before leaving this summer.
His £52m move to Arsenal was met with disbelief in North London, where over 5,000 fans signed a petition titled #NoToMadueke opposing his arrival.
Yet for Chelsea, the sale offered financial upside and an opportunity to reset. The replacement came swiftly.
Estevão, the Brazilian teenager dubbed “Messinho,” had already been secured from Palmeiras in a £29m deal.
The 18-year-old has made a name for himself in Brazil, racking up 83 appearances, 27 goals and 15 assists – including a memorable strike against Chelsea in the Club World Cup.
By the time he arrived at Stamford Bridge, his market value had soared to €60m (£55m), as per Transfermarkt.
Estevão has wasted little time in showing why the club put their faith in him.
Already capped seven times by Brazil and with a goal to his name at senior international level, he made an immediate impression by registering an assist against West Ham.
His profile fits neatly with Chelsea’s youth-driven approach: technically gifted, creative in the final third, and able to offer direct end product.
Statistically, he is already more efficient than his predecessor Madueke, with higher involvement in chance creation and a greater contribution per 90 minutes across his young career.
Why Garnacho could be the better Madueke replacement
While Estevão excites, another summer signing could prove the more immediate solution.
Alejandro Garnacho’s arrival from Manchester United was high-profile and contentious, ending his 144-game spell at Old Trafford, where he produced 26 goals and 22 assists.
At Premier League level, he boasts 24 goals and assists in 94 games. For comparison, Madueke has just 18 goals and assists under his belt in England’s top-flight, albeit from 71 outings.
Matches Played
94
Goals
26
Assists
22
Progressive Carries
458
Progressive Passes
159
Source: FBref
At just 21, this young “diamond” – as hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig – already has Premier League experience and eight caps for Argentina, offering Chelsea a player with both upside and proven credentials.
The comparison between Garnacho and Estevão is fascinating. Over their careers to date, Garnacho has averaged 0.27 goals per 90, compared to Estevão’s 0.37, as per FBref.
Yet the Brazilian edges almost every creative metric: 0.75 goal involvements per 90 versus Garnacho’s 0.40, 5.39 shot-creating actions per 90 compared to 3.78, and a higher success rate in take-ons (3.26 to 1.45).
He also attempts and completes more progressive passes, underlining his playmaking instincts.
Garnacho, however, carries advantages in directness and experience.
He takes more shots per 90 (3.49 vs 3.00) and has a better understanding of the pace and physicality of English football.
The stylistic contrast is clear.
Estevão offers finesse, vision and technical flair, while Garnacho thrives on dynamism, running at defenders and producing moments of explosiveness.
In theory, Chelsea may not need to choose: both profiles could balance each other in the long run.
But in the short term, Garnacho’s readiness to impact games in the Premier League may prove invaluable as Chelsea look to cement their top-four status.
What is striking is how Chelsea’s handling of Madueke’s departure reflects the broader philosophy at Stamford Bridge.
The club are not afraid to part ways with established players if they believe a younger, cheaper and potentially more valuable alternative exists.
Estevão embodies that philosophy – a long-term project with world-class potential.
Garnacho, meanwhile, provides a safety net, ensuring the team does not lose momentum while the Brazilian adapts.
For Chelsea, the question is not whether Madueke will be missed, but whether the combination of Estevão and Garnacho can deliver more than he ever did.
The early signs suggest they just might.