Estêvão, Chelsea’s ‘Messi’, calls for calm: Maresca stops comparisons

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has warned against comparing the team’s young talent, Estêvão, to figures of the stature of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguing that this could put “too much pressure” on the player. Estêvão shone in Chelsea’s victory over Barcelona, scoring a spectacular goal in the 3-0 triumph at Stamford Bridge. The match was marked by an own goal from Jules Koundé and the expulsion of Ronald Araújo, leaving Barcelona at a numerical disadvantage and on the scoreboard. In the second half, Estêvão received a pass from Reece James and, after getting past Pau Cubarsí and Araujo, scored a goal that left goalkeeper Joan García with no chance. Estêvão became the third teenager in Champions League history to score in his first three appearances, emulating Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

Estêvão’s goal generated comparisons to Messi in his prime, but Maresca preferred not to fuel those expectations, believing that both Estêvão and Lamine Yamal, also 18 years old, need time to develop as footballers. “Estêvão needs to relax. He needs to enjoy himself, he needs training sessions. He needs to play football. He and Lamine are very young, 18 years old, and if you start talking about Messi, about Cristiano Ronaldo, I think it’s too much pressure for young guys like them. They need to enjoy themselves, arrive at the training ground happy, in session,” said Maresca. Estêvão, since his arrival from Palmeiras in the summer, has scored five goals with Chelsea. Tuesday’s could be the most special so far.

“I really don’t have words to sum up what I feel,” expressed Estêvão. “Everything was very fast for me. I found some space and made my way through. I hope to keep scoring for many more years”.

Estêvão

Added: “It really was the perfect night. [My goal] was a very special moment for me in my career. From the moment I arrived here, I felt a connection with the fans. I am very happy to have been able to score for them and make them happy.” Liam Delap closed the scoring in the final minutes, while Chelsea moved up to fifth place in the table. Barcelona, for its part, fell to 15th place. Chelsea will face Arsenal at home on Sunday, in a crucial match. Maresca commented: “The feeling was very good because it was at home with our fans.” “It’s always nice to share these kinds of moments. But now, I told the players, in the next 48 hours, disconnect completely, rest, recover energy, because on Sunday we have Arsenal.” “But my message after the match was just to recover energy, that’s the most important thing right now. And from Friday we start thinking about Arsenal.”