Enzo Maresca spoke glowingly of Chelsea‘s incoming wonderkid Estevao after he scored against his future club in his final game for Palmeiras at the Club World Cup.
The 18-year-old forward found himself on the losing side in a pulsating quarter-final showdown in Philadelphia despite netting a superb second-half equaliser.
Cole Palmer‘s breakthrough and a bizarre own goal from Agustin Giay seven minutes from time secured the Blues’ spot in the final four, rendering Estevao’s rasping strike beyond Robert Sanchez at the near post an unforgettable consolation.
All eyes were on the teenage sensation and Maresca was excited with what he had seen from his soon-to-be player, teasing an ‘important’ role for him.
‘You can see he is a huge talent,’ Maresca said post-match.
‘You can see he is a fantastic player. The only thing now is when you come from South America or another part of the world to Europe you need to adapt.
Enzo Maresca praised Estevao after he scored against his future club in the Club World Cup
Estevao unleashed a rocket past Robert Sanchez to equalise on his final game for Palmeiras
Maresca, whose side won 2-1 to reach the semi-finals, said the teenager will be ‘important’
‘We are going to help him to adapt and first of all to enjoy football. We don’t have any doubt, as he is so good, that he is going to be an important player for Chelsea.’
Palmer made a point of embracing Estevao and swapping shirts with him after the final whistle, despite the language barrier. ‘I told Estevao we are excited for you to join but he didn’t understand a single word I said,’ Palmer said.
Chelsea struck a deal to sign the prodigy last year but he stayed in Brazil for one more season, and his talents were on show as he was named the player of the match against his future employers. He will shortly join up with their first-team squad.
Estevao was, however, visibly emotional after bringing the curtain down on his time at the club which first thrust him into the spotlight.
‘I’m very happy I could score a goal to help my club,’ he told reporters. ‘Unfortunately this wasn’t the result we wanted but we gave our best on the pitch.
‘Now I am moving on and I thank Palmeiras for everything. I will cheer Palmeiras on and I am so happy to have been part of this club.’
Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira, credited with an influential role in developing Estevao, issued some words of advice for Chelsea and Maresca.
‘You bought an amazing player but more than this you bought an amazing person,’ Ferreira said. ‘You need to take care of him.
Estevao spoke with his soon-to-be team-mates after the final whistle in Philadelphia
He was visibly emotional after the game, and was hailed as ‘amazing’ by Abel Ferreira (right)
Estevao will shortly join up with Chelsea’s first-team ahead of next season
‘You need to embrace him and in the beginning for sure he will make mistakes. He is an amazing player with a lot of skill. He is a player who can win a game alone.
‘With new players and a new coach he will grow as a player and a person. For sure he will need your support. It’s the first time he will leave his country.
‘In England the sun appears two or three times a year and the night comes early but with help Chelsea have the conditions to support him.’