Enzo Maresca Sends Strong Message to Chelsea Fans Over Estevão’s Future After Stamford Bridge Arrival

Enzo Maresca has sent a clear and measured message to Chelsea supporters and the media as excitement builds over the arrival of teenage Brazilian star Estevão Willian. The newly-appointed Chelsea head coach is keen to ensure the club handles the winger’s development with care as he begins life in the Premier League.

Estevão officially joined up with the Chelsea squad this summer after completing his highly anticipated move from Palmeiras. The Blues had struck a deal last year worth €34 million (£28.7 million) up front with another €23 million (£19.4 million) in potential add-ons — a significant investment for a player who only turned 18 this year. Estevão was allowed to remain with Palmeiras through their Club World Cup campaign before linking up with Chelsea ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Nicknamed “Messinho” in Brazil — a nod to his dazzling skill and flair — Estevão has long been seen as one of the most exciting talents to emerge from South America. His performances in Brazil’s top flight and youth international games drew comparisons to Neymar, fueling massive expectations before he even kicked a ball for Chelsea. But for Maresca, managing those expectations is critical to protecting the player’s long-term development.

Speaking to reporters following Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States — where Estevão trained briefly with the team — Maresca made it clear that the club’s priority should be to help the teenager adapt gradually to his new surroundings.

“For me, the biggest mistake we can do with him is to put him under pressure,” Maresca said.
“He’s very young, he needs to adapt.”

The Chelsea manager revealed that he first met Estevão during the Blues’ friendly against Palmeiras and was immediately impressed by the youngster’s personality as much as his footballing ability.

“He’s a fantastic player. He’s very young, he’s a happy boy. He’s always laughing — typical from a Brazilian guy — and we need to keep him happy,” Maresca explained.

🗣 Enzo Maresca on Estevão: "For me, the biggest mistake we can make with him is to put him under pressure because he's very young.

I met him for the first time in USA when we played against Palmeiras. He's a fantastic player. He's very young. He's a happy, happy boy. He's… pic.twitter.com/c8oDuDL9A4

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 7, 2025

The transition from Brazilian football to the Premier League has historically been a challenging one for young players. Different playing styles, cultures, and the intense physical demands of English football can be overwhelming. Maresca is mindful of that.

“We need to pay a little bit more attention,” he added.
“First of all because he’s from the other part of the world and also he’s very, very young. So we need to pay attention. As I said, not under pressure — give him happiness, give him time, he needs to adapt.”

It’s not just off the pitch where Maresca is hoping to ease Estevão in slowly. On the field, the Italian tactician sees the youngster as someone with the versatility to slot into a number of roles across Chelsea’s attacking setup.

When asked about where Estevão might play, Maresca compared his potential impact to that of breakout star Cole Palmer — not in style, but in positional flexibility.

“He can play everywhere,” Maresca said.
“He’s so good. For me, he’s like Cole in terms of position. He can play outside, he can play inside, he can play everywhere. In our five attacking positions, for me, he can play everywhere.”

That kind of flexibility bodes well for Estevão’s future at Stamford Bridge, especially under a manager like Maresca, who values technical players capable of rotating across different zones of the pitch. But Maresca is clearly focused on long-term development over immediate impact.

Chelsea’s recent transfer policy has placed heavy emphasis on recruiting young talent from across the globe, betting on future stars rather than proven names. Estevão fits that model perfectly, but as Maresca has emphasized, the club must now follow through with the right environment, patience, and support.

The temptation to hype Estevão as Chelsea’s next great Brazilian sensation is understandable. But for the teenager to truly reach his potential, the next chapter of his career must be guided with care — and under Maresca, it seems that process has already begun.