Enzo Maresca has said that the most important thing for Estevao is for him to "enjoy his football" which is a headscratcher given he has still to fully unleash the Chelsea wonderkid. The Brazilian teenage sensation has been just that each time he's appeared this season.
The 18-year-old scored a famous last-gasp winner in a 2-1 win over Liverpool in mid-October. He has looked the real deal each time has has been on the pitch, but that's the problem with Maresca's comment.
Maresca is taking his time handing Estevao not just a starting role but game time that his incredible performances deserve. The Italian can't be faulted for his work with the west Londoners but his handling of the Selecao starlet is worth debating.
Enzo Maresca's hypocritical take on Estevao's football
Estevao was left on the bench in Chelsea's 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday as goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez helped propel the Blues up to second in the table. It should be noted that the manager didn't turn to Moises Caicedo or Alejandro Garnacho either, perhaps keen to ensure those who represented South American nations in the international break aren't jet lagged.
Maresca was asked about Estevao's first-team opportunities ahead of Barcelona's visit to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League tomorrow night (November 25). He told reporters (via Fabrizio Romano):
“Estevao is going to be an important player for this club in the future, no doubt... The most important thing is he has to enjoy football, be happy, and not think about being better than other players. He’s gonna be a top player”.
🚨🔵 Enzo Maresca: “Estevão is going to be an important player for this club in the future, no doubt”.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2025
“The most important thing is he has to enjoy football, be happy, and not think about being better than other players. He’s gonna be a top player”. pic.twitter.com/k0H4gHj1vd
While it's nice to see Maresca wants Estevao to enjoy playing and to be happy while focusing on himself, it's also a bit confusing. Players are happiest when they are playing, and this teen has shown maturity beyond his years each time he's played.
The Blues are a better attacking team with him in it, and why ignore the superstar talent the club has on its hands when it's clear he can handle a star role. As his coach mentioned, he will be an "important player" in the future, but why not right now?
Maresca must be careful amid Real Madrid's Vinicius problem
It's well known that Real Madrid were one of the clubs vying for Estevao's signature before he eventually joined Chelsea. There are claims in Spain that Los Blancos regret not moving for the Brazilian after seeing him make a seamless start in west London.
That's why it might be concerning to read that Madrid's Vinicius Junior is refusing to sign a new contract due to issues with manager Xabi Alonso. The Athletic's Mario Cortegana reports that the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner up wants a mega-money contract similar to Cristiano Ronaldo's
€30 million per season deal back during his Santiago Bernabeu days.
If Vinicius were to leave Madrid, then that could see them re-ignite their interest in Estevao. There will be less eagerness to sign an immediate replacement for the 25-year-old because Alonso can move Kylian Mbappe to his preferred left wing position and sign a target man.