Enzo Maresca has played down comparisons between rival teenage wingers Estevao and Lamine Yamal on the eve of Chelsea’s Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Estevao, 18, has stood out since arriving at Stamford Bridge in July, scoring nine goals for club and country.
Chelsea manager Maresca was asked at his pre-match press conference on Monday whether Spain international Yamal, just three months younger than Estevao, would be a good role model for his player.
But the Italian said the Brazilian was already an established figure at the top level despite his young years.
«Estevao is already playing at a high level, he is already in the starting line-up with Brazil,» Maresca told reporters. “He is certainly still very young, he can do many things better, but we are very happy with him.
«It’s fun for people who love football to watch players like Estevao, like Lamine Yamal, like (Barcelona midfielder) Pedri. This is the beauty of football.»
Maresca said Estevao had to block out the noise.
“He will certainly be an important player for this club,” he said. “For the future, undoubtedly.
«He has to be happy. He shouldn’t think about being better than this player or the other player.»
«He just has to be better than himself every day. Try to work hard and improve.»
Maresca added that Chelsea striker Cole Palmer was making good progress after a toe injury but was unlikely to be available for Barcelona or Arsenal next weekend.
“Cole is wearing a (protective) boot,” Maresca said. “We don’t know when he will be back, but it will certainly be soon.
“He is already on the field, he is already touching the ball and the feeling (for him) is good.
Barcelona are 11th in the league stage of Europe’s top club competition with seven points after four games – the same number as Chelsea.
Maresca said he was heavily influenced by the possession-based style of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, who were two-time champions of Europe during the now Manchester City manager’s time in charge at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012.
“I decided to become a manager years ago because of Pep’s team, Barcelona,” Maresca explains.
“Now, when clubs or teams decide with a different style, I have often said that every club, every team can decide the way they want to play. I chose mine years ago and this will be the way I like to see my team in football and also in the future.”
Published on November 24, 2025
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