Maresca excited by potential of youthful Chelsea side

Enzo Maresca has said he is excited by the potential of his youthful Chelsea side.

Chelsea thrashed Ajax in the Champions League in midweek, with three teenagers on target in the 5-1 win at Stamford Bridge.

The West Londoners have invested heavily in young talent in recent windows, and Maresca admitted the victory over Ajax was a ‘special night’ for the club.

“I said after the [Ajax] game it was a special night, special for the club and the fans with so may young players,” Maresca said ahead of facing Sunderland this weekend.

“We are full of good young, talented players and the main thing for me is juts to try to help them day by day how they can get better and better. It’s the only way to improve the team if you can help the players.

“We just try to help them first of all to understand the way we play and also we have speciality coaching staff with all of them. After the session, we dedicate time to them to improve because they are young and need to improve.

“It doesn’t matter the age because even if they are a little bit older they need to improve but if you want to improve the team you have to improve players.”

Brazilians helping Estevao adapt at Chelsea

Estevao Willian has caught the eye since joining up with Chelsea in the summer, with the 18-year-old regarded as one of world football’s best young talents. The Brazilian has settled quickly in England and Maresca said compatriots Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro have helped him adapt.

“We have Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro who are both helping him a lot because they have already been in Europe for a different time so they are helping him a lot.

“As a club and a staff, we just try to help him and give him the attention he needs but not just with Estevao, with all the young players that have come from abroad.

“We said the other day he is a special player. The good thing about him is that he just thinks about football, he enjoys it and he is happy.

“Again, his family is doing a fantastic job with they way they raised him.”

Read – Premier League talking points ahead of the weekend

See more – Chelsea injury boost as striker returns to training