Enzo Maresca Cautions Estevao and Guiu Ahead of Sunderland Clash

Enzo Maresca's Chelsea face sunderland test

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca emphasizes the importance of managing young talents Estevao and Marc Guiu ahead of the Premier League match against Sunderland.

“I watched Sunderland since last season when the manager arrived. They play good football...”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is being cautious with his young players, particularly Estevao and Marc Guiu, ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Sunderland. With a thrilling 5-1 win over Ajax in the Champions League midweek, where three teenagers scored, Maresca wants to ensure his whizkids don't get overused.

Maresca emphasized the importance of managing his young players, saying, “It's with Estevao, but it's almost with all of them - it doesn't matter about the age.” He added that players like Tosin Adarabioyo get unhappy when they're not playing, highlighting the challenge of balancing individual needs with team requirements. With a busy schedule ahead, Maresca's priority is to keep his players fresh and performing at their best.

Maresca said this morning: “I said after the game that it was a special night for the club, for the fans, with so many young players. They are talented players. The main thing for me is to help them day by day get better and better. If you are able to improve players, you can improve the team.

“Again, try to help them understand the way we want them to play and also we have coaching staff with all of them after the session. We dedicate time to them to try and improve. They are young and they need to improve. For sure, if you want to improve the team, you need to improve the players.”

Asked about playing Estevao consistently, he continued: “Balance for me is quite easy. We have 24 or 25 players, good players, but only 11 can start. Since I joined the club, I have shown that we change players. When they don't play, they are not happy but they also know they can't play every game.

“It's with Estevao, but it's almost with all of them - it doesn't matter about the age. If you say to Tosin (Adarabioyo), the oldest one, that he's not going to play, he's not happy. It's not about the age but they need to understand they can't play every game.”

Chelsea Favored to Beat Sunderland, But Opponent Poses Challenge

Chelsea are clear favorites to win against Sunderland, according to bookmakers, with odds of 21/50, translating to a 70.4% chance of victory. However, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is likely aware that Sunderland, despite being promoted, will be no easy opponent, especially after their impressive start to the season.

He said, “They showed since the season started that they are a very good team. They play together, they work together. They have the same points as us so they are showing how good they are doing. It's a Premier League game, and there is no easy game.”

Asked about facing Regis Le Bris, Maresca said of the Black Cats manager: “I spent one season with Leicester in the Championship and I love the Championship.

“I watched Sunderland since last season when the manager arrived. They play good football, they are physically strong, so I like the way they are doing things.

“The challenge is always the same: try to win the game. They are going to try and create different situations for us.”

Guiu Set for Return to Sunderland Turf

Marc Guiu could start for Chelsea against his former club Sunderland, where he spent time on loan earlier in the season before being recalled by the Blues.

Maresca said, “Marc is a typical No.9. He is physically strong, a box player. Again, he can improve and do many things better. We are working with him every game to try and help him. In terms of Joao Pedro, we know he can play as a No.9 or a No.10. He's very good in both positions.

“We had a chat with Marc two weeks ago. I told him that I didn't like the way he was training and he needed to change. He changed. 

“He was not training well in all the ways. Since we chat, he's been fantastic. It's good.”

💙🔛 Maresca: “We had a chat with Marc Guiu two weeks ago, I said i didn't like the way he trained. He changed it all”.

“He was not training well, in all the ways. Since we chatted, he has been top!”.

“He’s now ready to start, absolutely”. 🏁 pic.twitter.com/1XXQxF5nzw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 24, 2025

 

Estevao's Integration Aided by Brazilian Teammates, Says Maresca

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca credits the presence of other Brazilian players in the squad for helping Estevao settle quickly into the team.

He said, “We have Andrey Santos and Joao Pedro that are helping him a lot. They already knew him from a different time. Us as a staff, as a club, we are trying to help him and give him all the attention he needs.

“Not just with Estevao, but all the players that come from abroad. He is a special player. He just thinks about football and he is happy.”

💙🫂 Estevão: “Let me say thanks to Enzo Fernández”.

“He’s a sensational guy, he gave me the opportunity to take the penalty. I didn't expect that. I looked at him, he gave me the ball, I was very happy”.

“This reflects a lot of our group, very united...”, told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2pOBpE8Aan

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 24, 2025

 Maresca Praised Enzo Fernandez's Gesture to Estevao

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca also praised Enzo Fernandez's sportsmanship in handing over the penalty to Estevao to score during their Champions League win over Ajax, showcasing the team's positive dressing room culture.

He added, “I told the players after the game that for sure we were happy about winning but the main thing about that game was Enzo giving the ball to Estevao. It shows how the team are at the moment and how they are all together.”