Ferreira to Maresca: "Embrace Estêvão", Chelsea's gem, after a great goal

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca received advice from Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira on how to handle young star Estêvão Willian. Ferreira urged Maresca to “embrace” and “care for” Willian, after the forward scored an impressive goal against his future club, although it was not enough to prevent Chelsea’s defeat in the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals.

An own goal by Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton in the 83rd minute, following Estêvão’s goal that equalized the score after Cole Palmer’s initial goal, sealed Chelsea’s 2-1 victory in Philadelphia. This secured their place in the semi-finals against Fluminense in New Jersey next Tuesday.

Estêvão, 18, was the figure of the match, taking the Player of the Match award in his last match with Palmeiras before joining Chelsea this month. Chelsea signed Estêvão a year ago for £33.8 million ($46.1 million), and loaned him back to the Brazilian club.

“I spoke with Maresca before. He’s a good coach and I told him: ‘You bought an incredible player, but more than that, you bought an incredible person'”, Ferreira commented.
Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras coach

Ferreira urged Chelsea to handle the rising star with care to get the best out of him.

“He’s an 18-year-old kid, so Chelsea needs to take care of him. They need to embrace him because at first, for sure, he will make mistakes. As you saw today, he’s an incredible player with a lot of skill. He’s a player who can win a match on his own. When he started with Palmeiras, my first thought was that he wasn’t very strong, but he’s really good and has a lot of strength”.
Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras coach

Estêvão, quien anotó contra el Chelsea el viernes por la noche en los cuartos de final de la Copa Mundial de Clubes, acordó un contrato con los Blues el verano pasado.

“He looks very thin, but he is strong. He is quick with his dribbling, he’s an incredible player and he’s tough. Chelsea paid a lot for him, so congratulations to Chelsea, because they have an incredible player.” Ferreira also gave Estêvão a friendly warning about what to expect from life in England.

“I told him the sun isn’t the same!” Ferreira joked. “In England it appears maybe 2 or 3 times a year and night comes early. I’m sure Chelsea has all the conditions to support him. He’s a fantastic player, but he needs help, for sure.”
Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras coach

After watching Estevao play so well against his team, Maresca said it was the “perfect night”.

“I am happy because we won and also happy because Estêvão scored. The perfect night. He is very good, a great talent, a fantastic player. The only thing is that when you come from South America or another part of the world you need to adapt, but we are going to help him. We have no doubt that he will be an important player for Chelsea”.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea coach