John Barnes Warns Chelsea Boss Maresca: ‘Don’t Pile Pressure on Estevao Yet’
Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes has cautioned Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca against placing too much expectation on teenage sensation Estevao Willian, insisting the youngster has achieved “nothing yet” in the Premier League.
Estevao, just 18 years old, joined Chelsea in a £29 million move from Palmeiras earlier this season. The Brazilian winger quickly made headlines after coming off the bench to score a dramatic winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge — a moment that fueled excitement among fans and pundits alike.
Despite his impressive flashes of talent, Maresca has used the teenager carefully, giving him seven starts in eleven league matches, a decision that Barnes believes is both wise and necessary.
“Estevao is a young player who has come into the team and is doing well at the moment,” Barnes told Video Gamer.
“However, I remember Jadon Sancho doing the same thing… We can’t start putting pressure on him yet.
“In reality, he’s had 10 good games… he’s done nothing! He’s got lots of potential, but we’ve seen that at Chelsea before and there’s lots of examples where it hasn’t worked out.”
Barnes warned that the Blues’ starlet must be given time to mature, adding that overhyping him could lead to disappointment if his form dips.
“He’s not going to be a starter every week because they have so many players. If he has a few below-par performances, people will quickly turn on him,” Barnes added.
“He has good potential, lots of ability and he can be a very good player, but at this moment in time he has done nothing and achieved nothing.”
Opinion: Caution, Not Hype — Chelsea Must Protect Estevao’s Spark
John Barnes’ comments may sound blunt, but they hold a vital truth: Chelsea must guard Estevao Willian’s talent from the weight of premature expectations.
The Premier League has seen countless wonderkids rise like shooting stars — only to fade under the glare of excessive hype. For every Bukayo Saka or Phil Foden who blossoms under pressure, there are dozens like Jadon Sancho or Dele Alli whose early sparkle dimmed under scrutiny and inflated expectations.
Estevao is clearly gifted — quick, confident, and fearless — but as Barnes rightly pointed out, potential is not the same as achievement. At 18, what he needs most is patience, steady guidance, and a manager who shields him from the noise rather than fuels it.
Enzo Maresca seems to understand that balance. By easing Estevao into the first team rather than throwing him into the deep end, he’s giving Chelsea fans something they haven’t had in years — a glimpse of long-term planning and player protection.
Chelsea supporters should enjoy Estevao’s flashes of brilliance but remember: legends are built over seasons, not weeks.
