Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has urged caution regarding comparisons between his teenage winger, Estevao, and Barcelona’s emerging star, Lamine Yamal.
The comments come ahead of Tuesday’s highly anticipated Champions League fixture at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca Downplays Estevao-Yamal Comparisons
Estevao, 18, has quickly made an impact since joining Chelsea in July. He already boasts nine goals for both club and country.
Yamal, only a few months younger, has similarly captured headlines. Both youngsters frequently become topics of discussion among fans and pundits.
During his pre-match press conference on Monday, Maresca was asked if Yamal could serve as a development model for Estevao. The Italian coach dismissed the suggestion.
He insisted that the Brazilian winger is already performing at an impressive level.
“Estevao is already playing at a high level; he is already in the starting eleven with Brazil,” Maresca told reporters. “For sure, he is very young; he can do many things better, but we are very happy with him.”
“It’s nice for people that love football to watch players like Estevao, like Lamine Yamal, like Pedri. This is the beauty of football.”
Maresca emphasized that Estevao must prioritize personal growth over external comparisons.
“He is going to be, for sure, an important player for this club,” he affirmed. “For the future, no doubt.”
“He has to be happy. He does not have to think about being better than this player or the other player. He has just to be better than himself day by day. Try to work hard, improve.”
Cole Palmer Injury Update
The Chelsea boss also provided an update on Cole Palmer. The forward has been sidelined with a toe injury.
While Palmer shows signs of progress, Maresca conceded he is unlikely to feature against Barcelona or Arsenal.
“Cole is wearing a (protective) boot,” he stated. “We don’t know when he will be back, but for sure it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball, and the feeling (for him) is good.”
Chelsea and Barcelona Vie for Champions League Progress
Barcelona currently sits 11th in the Champions League league phase. They have seven points from four games.
Chelsea holds an identical tally, setting the stage for a critical encounter.
Maresca, known for his possession-driven philosophy, reflected on the influence of Pep Guardiola’s iconic Barcelona side. That team dominated Europe from 2008 to 2012.
“I decided to be a manager because of Pep’s team, Barcelona, years ago,” he explained. “Now, if clubs or teams decide on a different style, I have said many times that any club, any team can decide in the way they want to play. I chose mine years ago, and this will be the way I like to watch my team in football and also in the future.”
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