“He needs to sacrifice more or he stays on bench” – Enzo Maresca sends clear warning message to Chelsea star ahead of Wolves clash
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has sent a strong message to winger Estevao Willian amid calls for him to be handed more regular game time.
The teenager has been in superb form this season, and has scored four goals in his last seven appearances across all competitions.
Estevao has scored twice in the Champions League, whilst his only Premier League goal was the last minute winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca sends message to Estevao Willian
Estevao has impressed whether it’s from the start or the bench, and has made 15 appearances in all competitions.
However, out of his nine Premier League appearances only four have been starts with Maresca often going for Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho as his wing pairing.
Maresca stated Estevao is now ready to start two games in a row, but speaking ahead of the Wolves game he mentioned a need for the teenager to improve on the defensive side of his game.
“We know that we cannot ask the same things of Neto as Estevao,” he said as quoted by The Standard.
“We cannot ask Estevao to [drop] off and be a full-back sometimes like Pedro is doing because he’s a different player [with] different quality, but for all of them need [to] sacrifice.
“It’s on the ball and it’s off the ball. It’s the two sides that he (Neto) is doing fantastic.”
Pedro Neto fit to face Wolves
Whilst Estevao played 90 minutes on Wednesday night against Qarabag, Neto missed the trip with what was described as a small issue.
Maresca confirmed Neto took part in training in Friday, and the Portugal international has started all ten of Chelsea’s league games so far this season.
Neto has scored twice this season, and will be looking to add to that tally when former club Wolves visit Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.