Estêvão, Chelsea’s jewel: Maresca calls for calm amid Messi comparisons

Maresca Asks for Caution with Estevão: “Too Much Pressure”

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has warned about the pressure that the comparison of young Estêvão with football legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could generate. Estêvão, Chelsea’s teenage sensation, has impressed with his performance, including a spectacular goal in the 3-0 victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. The match saw an own goal by Jules Koundé and the expulsion of Ronald Araújo, leaving Barcelona with one man less and at a disadvantage on the scoreboard. In the second half, Estêvão received a pass from Reece James, beat Pau Cubarsí and Araujo before scoring a great goal. Estêvão became the third teenager in Champions League history to score in his first three matches, following in the footsteps of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

The goal generated comparisons to Messi in his prime, but Maresca seeks to protect the Brazilian from such pressure, believing that both Estêvão and Lamine Yamal, 18 years old, need space to develop.

“Estão needs to relax. He needs to enjoy, he needs training sessions. He needs to play football. He, Lamine, they are so young, 18, that if you start talking about Messi, Ronaldo, I think it’s too much pressure for young guys like them. They need to enjoy, get to the training ground, happy, train.”

Enzo Maresca

Estêvão has scored five goals since he arrived at Chelsea in the summer, but Tuesday’s could be the most special.

“I really don’t have words to sum up how I feel. It was all very fast for me. I found some space and made my way. I hope to keep scoring for many more years”.

Estão

Liam Delap closed the account, and Chelsea moved up the table, while Barcelona dropped positions. Chelsea’s next challenge is against Arsenal. Maresca highlighted the importance of the players’ physical recovery before the next match.