Maresca Urges Patience for Estevao as Chelsea Prepares for Showdown with Barcelona

omidbasir- Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, has sought to temper comparisons between rising star Estevao and Barcelona’s prodigy Lamine Yamal as the two prepare to face each other in a highly anticipated Champions League match.

Estevao, at just 18 years old, has made a remarkable entrance in his debut season in England, showcasing his skills through key goals and assists despite limited playing time. Chelsea is carefully managing his transition to Premier League football, and his dynamic dribbling and innate flair have quickly made him a fan favorite. Heading into the match against Barcelona, Estevao is in excellent form, having impressed with both his club and the Brazilian national team.

Maresca has consistently commended Estevao’s maturity and eagerness to learn, but he also highlighted the potential pressures that comparisons to established players might bring at a time when Estevao is still acclimating to European competition. With four goals and one assist across 16 appearances, the young Brazilian has already shown his capability to impact high-stakes matches when given the opportunity. Chelsea views him as a key player in their long-term vision; however, Maresca emphasizes the necessity of gradual development.

“Estevao is already competing at a high level and has started for Brazil,” Maresca remarked to the media before the Barcelona clash. “He is very young and has plenty of room for improvement, but we are thrilled with his progress. It is exciting for football fans to witness talents like Estevao, Yamal, and Pedri. We are grateful to have Estevao in our squad.”

“He is destined to become an important player for this club; there is no doubt about that. The priority for Estevao is to enjoy playing football and to focus on his personal growth rather than comparing himself to others,” Maresca added, emphasizing the need to mitigate external pressures. “He should aim to be better than his past self every day, work diligently, and improve, and he will undoubtedly become a top player for Chelsea.”

The Chelsea manager further cautioned against premature comparisons to Yamal, citing their differing career stages. Yamal’s impressive tally of 31 goals and 42 assists in 118 appearances with Barcelona places him at a more advanced point in his career, whereas Estevao is still in the early months of his European adventure. Maresca concluded by reiterating that enjoyment, learning, and consistent improvement are essential for Estevao’s development.

Estevao has emerged as one of the standout stories of Chelsea’s season. Transferring from Palmeiras with high expectations, he has swiftly proven capable of meeting the rigors of elite football. His contributions of four goals and one assist only scratch the surface, as his speed, creativity, and audacity have injected much-needed energy into Chelsea’s attacking force. His international success, with five goals in his last six appearances for Brazil, further solidifies his reputation as a promising future star.

The winger’s journey from Palmeiras to England underscores Maresca’s call for patience. At his former club, Estevao netted 27 goals and provided 15 assists in 83 appearances, emerging as one of South America’s top young talents before joining Chelsea. Despite the excitement surrounding him, Maresca acknowledges the challenges young wingers face when entering the Premier League and wishes to shield Estevao from comparisons that might impede his progress.

Conversely, Yamal’s rapid rise at Barcelona has set new benchmarks for teenage talent. He has broken numerous age records and established himself as a pivotal player in both La Liga and the Champions League, making his trajectory exceptionally unique even among elite prospects.

Estevao is anticipated to play a role against Barcelona, although Maresca may continue to manage his playing time judiciously given the match’s intensity. The club’s long-term strategy involves gradually increasing his involvement as he adapts physically and tactically to both English and European football. A standout performance on the Champions League stage would further enhance his reputation, but Chelsea remains committed to a steady and sustainable development path.

Meanwhile, Yamal is expected to be a key player for Hansi Flick’s lineup, as Barcelona welcomes back injured players ahead of a busy winter schedule.