Enzo Maresca explains similarities between 'humble' Estevao and Cole Palmer after inspiring UEFA Champions League showing against Ajax

Estevao shone brightest in a five-star showing from Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night. The 18-year-old scored his first goal in the competition, adding to his recent late Premier League winner against Liverpool. Enzo Maresca believes he is certainly an exciting player on the up, with the Chelsea boss saying that he is "very, very similar to Cole Palmer".

Chelsea's teenage sensation Estevao bagged his first UEFA Champions League goal in The Blues' 5-1 thumping of Ajax on Wednesday night.

Following another exciting display from the 18-year-old, there was no shortage of praise for Estevao, which even drew a comparison to Neymar from TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was just as impressed with the teenage Brazilian after handing him his 11th appearance of the season.

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"It’s exciting to see him," Maresca told TNT Sports. "The good thing about Estevao, sometimes with young players we are worried, because they have one good game and they think they are already [at the] top.

"Estevao, he’s playing well, but he’s polite, he’s humble, he wants to learn.

I think his family are also doing a big job there, so we are very happy not only with the way he’s performing, but he’s a nice boy, a good boy."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Cole Palmer was not involved in Chelsea's rout of Ajax as he is currently sidelined with a groin injury.

However, the England international - as revelatory as he has been for the west London club in recent years - was not missed as Chelsea's starlets stepped up to the plate.

For the first time in Champions League history, three teenagers were on target in a single game, as Marc Guiu and Tyrique George also found the net on a historic night.

Estevao scored for the Blues too, and Maresca believes he is on the same trajectory as the aforementioned Palmer, who has racked up 74 goal contributions since joining from Manchester City in 2023.

"In the Premier League, he [Estevao] needs a little bit more time," Chelsea's head coach added on TNT Sports.

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"I think he’s more [of a] winger, but he’s going to finish playing inside the pitch, in the pockets.

"For me, it’s very, very similar to Cole [Palmer]. I had Cole at the same age as Estevao at [Man] City U23 and they are very similar.

"Cole started playing wide because he needed a bit [more] physicality; now he’s playing inside.

"And Estevao, they are quite similar, now he’s playing wide but in the future I think he’s more of an inside player."

Highlights: Estevao nets first UCL goal as Chelsea thrash Ajax

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking pitchside after another inspiring Estevao performance in the capital, TNT Sports expert Cole said that he "looks better and better" every time he pulls on a Chelsea shirt.

He then went as far as to compare him to his compatriot and Brazilian great Neymar.

"He’s brilliant, he’s such a good watch," Cole said. "Every time I watch him, I say it all the time - he gives me Neymar vibes.

"He goes both ways, he’s got brilliant balance and from the first moment he pulled on a Chelsea shirt in a friendly here, he came on for 20 minutes and had the crowd on their feet two or three times. He’s one of those players you love watching."

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