'They are very similar' - Enzo Maresca compares wonderkid Estevao to Cole Palmer

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian in the Blues’ Champions League clash against Dutch giants Ajax at Stamford Bridge in midweek, comparing him to Cole Palmer.

Chelsea ran riot on their Dutch opponent in a comfortable 5-1 win in front of their home fans to record their second win in this season’s European competition, while also recording their fourth consecutive win in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Estevao, who cost the Blues £29 million from Palmeiras, announced himself on the European stage with a dazzling display that left Ajax scratching their heads and the Chelsea faithful dreaming of a promising new era.

Estevao became Chelsea’s youngest-ever scorer in the Champions League, hitting a precise penalty past Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer just before half-time.

Before the Brazilian stole the limelight, Marc Guiu grabbed headlines by opening the scoring and becoming the club’s youngest-ever Champions League scorer, at just 19 years and 291 days.

However, his record didn’t last long enough, as Estevao converted from the spot to set a new record at 18 years and 181 days.

Estevao Willian became Chelsea’s youngest Champions League goalscorer against Ajax (Adam Davy/PA)

In the second half, Maresca introduced Tyrique George, and the Cobham academy product took just three minutes to get his name on the scoresheet.

Chelsea made history with his goal, becoming the first team to have three different teenagers score in the same Champions League match.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Chelsea boss Maresca couldn’t hide his excitement when asked about the Brazilian’s rise.

“It’s exciting to see him,” he said.

“The good thing about Estevao, sometimes with young players we are worried, because they have one good game and they think they are already [at the] top. Estavao, he’s playing well but he’s polite, he’s humble, he wants to learn.

“I think his family are also doing a big job there, so we are very happy not only with the way he’s performing. But he’s a nice boy, a good boy.”

His level-headed nature has already won the manager’s trust, though the Italian tactician believes Estevao remains a work in progress in the Premier League.

“In the Premier League, he needs a little bit more time. I think he’s [more of a] winger, but he’s going to finish playing inside the pitch, in the pockets,” he said.

On comparison with Palmer, Maresca opened up, saying: “For me, it’s very, very similar to Cole [Palmer]. I had Cole at the same age as Estevao at [Manchester] City Under-23 and they are very similar. Cole started playing wide because he needed a bit [more] physicality; now he’s playing inside.

“And Estevao, they are quite similar, now he’s playing wide, but in the future I think he’s more of an inside player.”

In his press conference, he once again went on to compare the winger to Palmer and added: “I feel very lucky to be his manager because it’s exciting, you can enjoy.

“We said many times, I think the fans at the end, they paid the tickets to see players like Cole [Palmer], like Estevao, this kind of player. So it’s nice that we can have players like Estevao, like Cole, like them.”