Trending 
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has urged teenager Estevão to ignore comparisons with Barcelona prodigy Lamine Yamal as the two prepare to meet in Tuesday’s Champions League fixture.
The 18-year-old Brazilian has impressed since joining Chelsea in July, scoring nine goals for club and country and quickly establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s brightest young prospects.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Maresca was asked whether Yamal—three months younger and already a Spain international—might serve as an ideal example for Estevão to follow.
However, the Chelsea manager insisted his winger was already proving himself at the highest level.
“Estevão is already performing at a high level; he’s in the starting XI for Brazil,” Maresca said. “Of course, he is still very young and has many areas to improve, but we’re delighted with him. For anyone who loves football, players like Estevão, Lamine Yamal and Pedri are a joy to watch. That’s the beauty of the game.”
Maresca stressed the importance of Estevão focusing on his development rather than outside comparisons.
He said the youngster was destined to become a crucial figure for Chelsea but needed to block out the noise surrounding him.
“He will undoubtedly be an important player for this club in the years ahead,” he said. “He just needs to be happy and concentrate on bettering himself every day. It’s not about being better than any other player — only about improving his own game.”
Maresca also provided a fitness update on Cole Palmer, who is recovering from a toe injury.
Although the forward is progressing well, the manager does not expect him to feature against Barcelona or in the weekend’s match against Arsenal.
“Cole is wearing a protective boot,” Maresca said. “We don’t yet know when he’ll return, but it shouldn’t be long. He’s already on the pitch, touching the ball, and feeling positive.”
Barcelona sit 11th in the Champions League league phase with seven points from four matches — the same tally as Chelsea.
Maresca again spoke of his admiration for Pep Guardiola’s iconic Barcelona era, which shaped his managerial philosophy.
“I became a manager because of Pep’s Barcelona all those years ago,” he said. “If teams choose a different style, that’s their decision. I chose mine long ago, and it remains the way I want my team to play now and in the future.”
