Enzo Maresca compared wonderkid Estevao to Cole Palmer after the Brazilian dropped a Champions League masterclass. The teenager, who cost the Blues £29 million from Palmeiras, announced himself to Europe with a dazzling display that left Ajax dazed and the Chelsea faithful dreaming of a bright new era.
A new hero emerges for Chelsea
Estevao became Chelsea’s youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League, burying his penalty past Remko Pasveer just before half-time. Every time he touched the ball, there was a growing anticipation in the stands that something special would happen. Before the Brazilian stole the limelight, Marc Guiu grabbed headlines by opening the scoring and becoming the club’s youngest-ever Champions League scorer, at just 19 years and 291 days. However, his record didn't last long as Estevao converted from the spot to set a new benchmark at 18 years and 181 days. In the second half, Maresca introduced Tyrique George, and the Cobham academy product took just three minutes to get his name on the scoresheet. After he scored, Chelsea set a new record by becoming the first team ever to have three different teenagers scoring in the same match in the Champions League.
AdvertisementGettyMaresca makes big Palmer comparison
After the game, Chelsea boss Maresca couldn’t hide his pride when TNT Sports asked about the Brazilian’s rise.
"It’s exciting to see him," he said. "The good thing about Estevao, sometimes with young players we are worried, because they have one good game and they think they are already [at the] top. Estavao, he’s playing well but he’s polite, he’s humble, he wants to learn. I think his family are also doing a big job there, so we are very happy not only with the way he’s performing. But he’s a nice boy, a good boy."
It’s that level-headed nature that’s already earning him the trust of the manager. However, Maresca feels that Estevao is still a work in progress in the Premier League.
"In the Premier League he needs a little bit more time. I think he’s more [of a] winger, but he’s going to finish playing inside the pitch, in the pockets," he said.
Then came the comparison to Palmer, when Maresca opined: "For me, it’s very, very similar to Cole [Palmer]. I had Cole at the same age as Estevao at [Manchester] City Under-23 and they are very similar. Cole started playing wide because he needed a bit [more] physicality; now he’s playing inside. And Estevao, they are quite similar, now he’s playing wide but in the future I think he’s more of an inside player."
Even in the press conference, Maresca waxed lyrical about Estevao and added: "For me personally, he's fantastic because he's a special player, but at the same time you don't have to be worried. Now he's going to play one game, two games, score, and he's already thinking that he knows how good he is."
He once again went on to compare the winger to Palmer and added: "I feel very lucky to be his manager because it's exciting, you can enjoy. We said many times, I think the fans at the end, they paid the tickets to see players like Cole [Palmer], like Estevao, this kind of player. So it's nice that we can have players like Estevao, like Cole, like them."
Joe Cole’s bold Neymar claim
It wasn’t just Maresca singing Estevao’s praises. On TNT Sports, Joe Cole, who was himself once a teenage prodigy at Stamford Bridge, was left speechless by the youngster’s flair.
"He’s brilliant, he’s such a good watch. Every time I watch him, I say it all the time: he gives me Neymar vibes," he said. "He goes both ways, he’s got brilliant balance and from the first moment he pulled on a Chelsea shirt in a friendly here, he came on for 20 minutes and had the crowd on their feet two or three times. "He’s one of those players you love watching…"
Maresca didn’t stop at showcasing one prodigy. Late in the game, he handed a European debut to Reggie Walsh, just 17 years old, making him the youngest player in Chelsea’s Champions League history and the second youngest Englishman ever to feature in the competition, only behind Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere. By the hour mark, with victory secured, Maresca had emptied his bench, giving rests to Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, and Tosin Adarabioyo. Ten Chelsea players aged 21 or younger took part in the match, which shows the club’s commitment to promoting youth. The average age of Chelsea’s starting XI was just 22 years and 163 days, the second-youngest English side ever to start a Champions League match. Only Arsenal’s lineup against Olympiakos 16 years ago was younger.
Getty Images SportChelsea on the rise under Maresca
Chelsea’s back-to-back Champions League wins following their opening defeat to Bayern Munich have reignited optimism around Maresca’s project. His bold use of young talent, tactical clarity, and emphasis on attacking football have made the Blues one of Europe’s most intriguing sides to watch. The next test for the young Blues comes with a trip to Qarabag in Azerbaijan, as they look to maintain momentum in Europe. Domestically, they return to action this weekend with a Premier League clash against Sunderland at Stamford Bridge, and fans will be hoping their Brazilian sensation can dazzle again.