ESTEVAO’S breakthrough winner against Liverpool has not only left Enzo Maresca with a touchline ban, but also a headache.
Chelsea have patiently been waiting for their new star boy to have his own stellar moment, and it arrived in incredible fashion with his 95th minute strike to down the champions.
Estevao announced himself to Chelsea fans properly with a brilliant goal against Liverpool[/caption]
The jury is still out on Garnancho who arrived from Manchester United this summer[/caption]
There has been a year of pent up excitement at Stamford Bridge about the teenager’s arrival – not only in the stands but behind the scenes.
In that moment the dreams of supporters and an army of sporting directors were realised.
So often an expensive youngster from South American can prove a myth, unable to capitalise on their potential.
But from the moment Chelsea agreed the deal to bring Estevao to west London, there has been a feeling around the club – and in wider football circles – that the Blues really did have a special one.
Before even his goal against the Reds, Estevao had turned the momentum decisively in Chelsea’s favour – causing constant problems for Arne Slot‘s defence.
Statistically, he is Chelsea’s most productive and dangerous winger so far this season.
Estevao leads Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens in goals and assists per 90 mins, as well as shots, shots on target, dribbles and duels won.
So why not just sling him in and see the magic on a constant basis?
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Maresca is playing a balancing act with his boy from Brazil.
Estevao has started for Premier League games so far this season – though he was hooked after just six minutes at Old Trafford following Robert Sanchez’s red card.
But his greatest impact has now come from the bench. Every fan would have their new darling in from the start, but is it wise?
One thing you can never accuse Chelsea of having is too few players. Their spending and hoarding means Maresca has a host of options out wide and up front.
The Italian has claimed Estevao can play any attacking role for him, but he is having to be very delicate about where the youngster is used so early in his Premier League career.
So many young players arrive with a bag of tricks to rival any top player, but suddenly lose any control when booted by a towering midfielder twice inside the opening few minutes of a game.
Maresca is being careful not to expose his precious talent to too much of the rough treatment so early on – keeping him away from the No10 role where he really would get a kicking.
The teen made such a difference against the Reds, as did Jamie Gittens, because he was sent on to face a tiring defence already short on confidence after a rocky start to the season.
It is the ideal situation to keep his trajectory going in the right way, and Neto’s encouraging start to the season – he has created more chances per 90 minutes than any other Blues winger – means there is no rush for change.
Especially with Estevao facing a trek to Korea and Japan with Brazil before the trip to Nottingham Forest after the international break.
Garnacho’s slower start to life at Chelsea may give Maresca cause for concern, though Gittens contribution from the bench against Liverpool was encouraging.
Neither Gittens or Garnacho have looked anywhere near as exciting as Estevao, but both are more capable of handling the Premier League pace over 90 minutes.
The longest spell in a league game their young apprentice has managed so far is 77 minutes, against a West Ham side which rolled over at the first sign of trouble.
So while the excitement and clamour for Estevao to be given every minute available to shine only grows, Maresca must play the miserable act and keep him straining at the leash.
