Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was impressed with Estevao Willian’s display against Ajax and believes the youngster has the potential to follow Cole Palmer’s path to success at the club.
The Blues thrashed the Dutch side 5-1 on Wednesday night, to record their second successive win in the UEFA Champions League and move further up the 36-team standings.
At just 18, Estevão became Chelsea’s youngest-ever Champions League scorer, overtaking Marc Guiu, who had opened the scoring earlier.
Speaking after the big win, Enzo Maresca was full of praise for the Brazilian, who was a menace to the visitors defense throughout the match.
“The odd thing about Estêvão is with young players you’re worried they have one good game and think they’re top. Estêvão is polite, he’s humble, he wants to learn. His family make a big job there. We’re happy not only way with way he performs but he’s a nice boy, a good boy”, Maresca said.
“I think in the Premier League he needs a little more time. It’s very similar to Cole Palmer. I had him same age with City’s Under-23s. Cole played wide and now he’s inside. Now Estêvão plays wide, but in the future I think he’s more of an inside player.”
Ajax captain Keneth Taylor made things tough for his side following his early dismissal after a VAR review.
Chelsea made their man advantage count, taking the lead minutes later through Marc Guiu, who became the club’s youngest scorer in the UCL.
Moses Caicedo doubled the scoring minutes later, before Ajax pulled one back from the penalty spot after a foul by Tosin Adarabioyo.
The Blues were then awarded their own penalty, dispatched comfortably by Enzo Fernandez, before Estevao netted another penalty in the first half, breaking the earlier record set by Guiu to become Chelsea’s youngest UCL goalscorer.
Tyrique George added a fifth in the second half, as Chelsea became the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers on the scoresheet.
“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 Estêvão, this kind of player. So it’s nice that we can have players like Estêvão, like Cole, like them”, the Italian added.
The Blues return to action in the EPL this weekend when they host newly-promoted Sunderland on Saturday at the Stamford Bridge.
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