Enzo Maresca answers question about Estevao’s best position with Cole Palmer reference | OneFootball

Chelsea have two truly creative genius players on their books right now. Enzo Maresca has already put them in the same bracket recently, when he said that every team needs “artists” like that.

Right now Palmer is out, and there’s no real indication of when he will be back. Estevao needs to step up in his absence. Maresca was asked about what he made of the Brazilian’s start to life at Chelsea, and also whether he thought that he could play inside as a number 10 as Palmer often does.

Maresca has considered Estevao interior

Estevao Willian against Benfica. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“We consider all our players to give them minutes and all positions,” the manager said guardedly.

“But also I think Estevao reminded me a lot of Cole when Cole was with me in the U23s at City. And when he was with us in the first team. I think Cole’s path has been similar to Estevao’s path in terms of starting wide as a winger. And then slowly, slowly you can move inside.

“The Premier League is completely different compared to other countries in the world. If you want to play in the middle you need to be physically prepared. I think Cole now is like that. In the past he needed to develop that. And I see Estevao exactly in the same way.”

Estevao’s starting place tomorrow questioned

Estevao has been unleashed centrally as a sub already on a few occasions, so clearly it’s not something Maresca shies away from. His close control means he can still cause trouble dribbling from there.

The real question is if Maresca trusts him to start at all tomorrow. It will be a super intense battle against a menacing Liverpool team, and the coach may prefer to use his magic starlet as a sub.