“In his defence” – Jamie Redknapp defends Estevao after Enzo Maresca criticism | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has defended Estevao Willian after he was criticised for a mistake in Friday’s win against West Ham.

Chelsea ran out 5-1 winners at the London Stadium despite losing Cole Palmer to injury in the warm-up and going a goal down early on.

The Blues were scintillating in attack, with Joao Pedro getting his first league goal, whilst Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto rounded off brilliant team moves.

Jamie Redknapp defends Estevao

The star of the show was arguably Estevao, and the 18-year-old was handed his first Premier League start as he replace Palmer in the line-up.

Estevao was named man of the match as he once again impressed, and it looks like the Blues have got a serious talent on their hands.

The teenager was compared to Neymar by Joe Cole, whilst he became the youngest Chelsea player in history to register a Premier League assist.

Estevao was named man of the match on his full Premier League debut. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

However, it wasn’t all plain sailing and the Brazil international had a shaky start as he gave the ball away, which led to West Ham’s opening goal.

Maresca criticised Estevao for that, but Redknapp has jumped to the defence of the young Brazilian as he praised the attacker.

“Yeah he’s a lovely footballer, the kid,” he told Sky Sports.

“And in his defence in the first few minutes when he came on, he gets played that ball and tried that flick and he was like okay this is fast, this is the Premier League at its best, he’s away from home.

“You’ve given away a goal, sometimes a young player can go under, I don’t want it anymore but he never.

“He kept wanting to get on it, he showed great ability, lovely dribbling skills, he’s got that effortless grace and poise and balance.”

Joao Pedro impresses for Chelsea

Estevao wasn’t the only Brazilian who impressed against West Ham, with Joao Pedro also putting in a very good performance.

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Pedro started for the first time with Liam Delap, and the former Brighton man equalised for Chelsea with his first Premier League goal for the club.

The 23-year-old also registered an assist, and looks like an excellent signing, and there’s a real excitement about what he could do this season.