Enzo Maresca’s barely concealed rage erupted after Chelsea’s stunning 1-3 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge on September 27, 2025, as he unleashed a withering critique of 18-year-old Brazilian winger Estevao Willian’s “selfish and stingy” approach to the game. The Italian tactician, speaking through gritted teeth in his post-match press conference, declared Estevao’s display as “not the kind of football any coach or team wants,” pinpointing the youngster’s poor decision-making and self-centered play that contributed to a collapse after Chelsea’s early lead. With Estevao starting his third straight match in Cole Palmer’s absence, Maresca’s explosive comments have ignited a storm, amplifying concerns over Chelsea’s squad unity and the teenager’s adaptation amid a mounting injury toll.
The match at Stamford Bridge began promisingly for the Blues, who took a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute through Enzo Fernández’s composed finish from a Reece James free-kick. But disaster struck in the 42nd minute when Robert Sánchez received a straight red card for a last-man foul on Kaoru Mitoma outside the box, marking Chelsea’s second consecutive league sending-off after Old Trafford. Reduced to 10 men, the hosts crumbled under Brighton’s relentless pressure. Yankuba Minteh’s cross found Danny Welbeck for a powerful header equalizer in the 68th minute, before Maxim De Cuyper’s stoppage-time header (90th) and Welbeck’s clinical second (90+3rd) – after Brajan Gruda’s assist – turned the game on its head, handing Fabian Hürzeler’s Seagulls a famous victory and leaving Chelsea in 7th with 10 points from eight games.
Estevao, the £29 million Palmeiras prodigy deployed on the right, was the lightning rod for Maresca’s fury. In the 32nd minute, with Pedro Neto unmarked and streaming forward, Estevao chose a speculative solo dribble that ended in a tame shot straight at Bart Verbruggen. Later, in the 75th minute during a desperate counter, he held possession too long, allowing Pervis Estupiñán to intercept and ignite Brighton’s late surge. “Selfish & stingy football!” Maresca reportedly thundered in the dressing room, according to The Telegraph, his frustration boiling over. “What he’s playing is NOT the kind of football any coach or team wants – those decisions cost us the game!” Subbed off at halftime for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Estevao’s stats were underwhelming: 32 touches, no key passes, and a 5.7/10 rating, with two misplaced chances underlining his inexperience against Hürzeler’s high press.
Maresca, whose possession-based blueprint faltered with Chelsea mustering just 42% ball control post-red, didn’t mince words with BBC Sport: “Estevao has magic in his boots, but tonight it was all about him, not us. Poor choices like that – ignoring runs, forcing shots – it’s unacceptable. We’re a team, not a solo show.” The Brazilian, dubbed “Messinho” in his homeland for his flair, responded with a subdued Instagram post of the Stamford Bridge turf: “Lessons hard, but head up 🇧🇷💙.” Insiders reveal he’s shaken by the second consecutive public rebuke, following his half-time sub against Lincoln City, and faces a bench spell for Southampton next weekend.
Chelsea’s woes deepened the narrative. Already without Palmer (groin, 2-3 weeks out), Fofana (knee), Colwill (knee, season-ending), and Guiu (thigh), Sánchez’s red – his second in a week – invites another FA fine atop the £25,000 from Old Trafford. Maresca’s system, craving quick transitions, clashed with Estevao’s individualistic streak from Brazilian youth ranks, where he netted 12 goals last season. Fans vented on X, with #MarescaOut hitting 35,000 posts: “Harsh on an 18yo, but he’s right – pass the ball!” one supporter posted, amassing 9,000 likes. Pundits chimed in: Gary Neville on The Overlap called it “raw truth – Estevao’s got to evolve or he’s wasted talent.” Jamie Carragher cautioned, “Enzo’s passion is good, but don’t break the kid.” Hürzeler, beaming in victory, quipped, “Estevao’s electric, but our press exposed him – welcome to the Prem.”
With Southampton and Tottenham on the horizon, plus a Champions League last-16 clash, Maresca’s patience is threadbare. The 1-3 reversal – Chelsea’s first home league loss since April – piles pressure on his rebuild, including 74 agent-related charges looming. Estevao must shed the “stingy” label fast, or Maresca’s tough love could turn to tough decisions. For the Blues’ Brazilian hope, it’s adapt or fade – in a season already stinging from setbacks.
