Enzo Maresca heaped praised on Estevao his young Chelsea stars after they humiliated 10-man Ajax with a 5-1 victory in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
Brazilian teenager Estevao was one of a number of starlets given the chance to impress after the Blues boss made 10 changes for the league-phase clash – and they took their chance to impress with a sensational display.
While the likes of Jamie Gittens, Marc Guiu and Tyrique George impressed, it was Estevao who came in for the most plaudits after scoring from the penalty spot but could have found the net several more times in what Maresca described as an “exciting” display.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the Chelsea boss said: “It’s exciting to see him. The good thing about Estevao, sometimes with young players you are worried because after one game playing well and they think they are top.
“But Estevao is polite, humble and wants to learn. His family did a job there. We are happy in the way he performs but also because he is a nice boy, a good boy.”
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Maresca: Estevao reminds me of Palmer
Star forward Cole Palmer remains out of the Chelsea side with injury but Estevao proved their is plenty more young talent in the ranks in West London and Maresca sees comparisons between the two.
“For me he is very similar to Cole Palmer, who I had at a very similar age at Man City,” he added.
“Cole started to play wide because he needed to build his physicality and now he is playing inside.
“With Estevao, they are quite similar. Now he is playing wide but in the future I think he is more of an inside player.
“With Cole we are a better team. We need Cole. Without him we try to find solutions.
“It is nice for the club and for the manager that we are able to perform and win games. No doubt that we play better with Cole.”
Maresca: Red card changed the game
Chelsea’s hopes of victory were significantly bolstered by Kenneth Taylor’s early red card and in truth, the Dutch side were no match for the hosts after that moment as Marc Guiu set them on their way to a huge win by sweeping home.
Having had their fair share of red cards this season, Maresca was pleased to be on the other side of that this time and admitted the dismissal helped their cause on Wednesday evening.
“The red card changed the game,” Maresca said. “When we conceded a red card we know how difficult it is.
“In any case we started well. With 10 changes, it is a demanding season so we need to rotate.
“When you concede a red card with more than one hour to play it is difficult to play.”
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