Chelsea ‘lucky’ to have record-breaking Estêvão
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described himself as “lucky” to coach Estêvão after the Brazilian teenager became the club’s youngest-ever scorer in the UEFA Champions League during Wednesday’s emphatic 5–1 win over Ajax at Stamford Bridge.
The 18-year-old winger, signed from Palmeiras in the summer for an initial fee of £29 million, impressed on only his fifth start for the Blues, winning and converting a penalty to mark a standout performance in Group Stage action.
Maresca, who previously worked with Cole Palmer in Manchester City’s academy before the England international’s breakthrough at Chelsea, drew comparisons between the two creative talents.
“The special thing about Estêvão is that he’s humble and wants to learn,” Maresca said. “He reminds me of Cole at the same age. Right now, Estêvão plays wide, but I believe he’ll eventually move inside. He’s exciting, and I feel lucky to be his manager.”
Chelsea took full control of the contest after Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor was sent off in the 17th minute for a dangerous challenge on Facundo Buonanotte. Marc Guiu and Moisés Caicedo scored before Wout Weghorst pulled one back from the penalty spot. Enzo Fernández restored the two-goal margin before Estêvão and substitute Tyrique George completed the scoring early in the second half.
The victory marked a historic night for Chelsea, who became the first team in Champions League history to have three teenagers on the scoresheet. Seventeen-year-old Reggie Watts also made his debut, becoming the club’s youngest player in the competition.
Maresca, who rotated heavily from the side that beat Nottingham Forest 3–0 in the Premier League, said the performance reflected the club’s long-term strategy.
“It’s the philosophy of the club,” he explained. “We already had the youngest squad in Premier League history last season, and this year we’re continuing in the same way. These players want to learn and improve, and that’s important.”
Estêvão’s emergence underscores Chelsea’s investment in youth under their current ownership, who have focused on securing top global prospects on long-term contracts. The Brazilian’s technical flair, pressing intelligence, and composure in front of goal have quickly made him one of the standout figures in Maresca’s evolving squad.
If his development continues at this pace, Estêvão could follow Palmer’s trajectory from promising academy product to first-team talisman — a sign of Chelsea’s growing confidence in nurturing young talent for sustained success.