Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s frustration boiled over after his side’s 1-3 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on September 27, 2025, as he launched a scathing attack on 18-year-old winger Estevao Willian’s “selfish and stingy” display. Speaking with visible anger in his post-match press conference, the Italian accused the Brazilian of poor decision-making and a me-first attitude that derailed Chelsea’s early momentum and helped spark their collapse. Having started three straight matches in Cole Palmer’s absence, Estevao suddenly finds himself at the center of a storm over squad unity and his readiness for Premier League football.
Chelsea initially looked in control when Enzo Fernández converted a Reece James free-kick in the 24th minute. But disaster struck before halftime as goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was shown a straight red for fouling Kaoru Mitoma outside the box, leaving the Blues down to 10 men for a second consecutive league game. Brighton took full advantage: Danny Welbeck equalized with a header in the 68th minute, Maxim De Cuyper nodded in a stoppage-time goal, and Welbeck struck again in the 93rd to seal a famous comeback under Fabian Hürzeler. The result leaves Chelsea sitting seventh with 10 points from eight matches.
Estevao’s performance was the focal point of Maresca’s ire. In the first half he ignored an open Pedro Neto to take on a low-percentage shot, and later squandered a promising counter by overdribbling into Pervis Estupiñán’s challenge. Substituted at halftime for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, he ended with just 32 touches, no key passes, and a 5.7/10 rating. Reports claim Maresca erupted in the dressing room, fuming: “Selfish, stingy football! That’s not what any coach wants – those decisions cost us the game.” He doubled down publicly with BBC Sport: “Estevao’s got magic, but tonight it was all about him. Ignoring runs, forcing shots – that’s not acceptable. We’re a team, not a solo act.”
Nicknamed “Messinho” back home, Estevao posted a muted response on Instagram – “Lessons hard, but head up 🇧🇷💙” – but insiders suggest the criticism has rattled him, with another benching likely against Southampton. Chelsea’s wider problems compound the issue: Palmer, Fofana, Colwill, and Guiu are all sidelined, while Sánchez’s dismissal adds to the disciplinary woes and FA fines.
Fan reaction has been fierce. The hashtag #MarescaOut trended on X with more than 35,000 posts, some backing the manager’s bluntness, others warning he risks damaging a teenage talent. Pundits were split too: Gary Neville argued Estevao must “evolve or waste his talent,” while Jamie Carragher urged Maresca not to “break the kid.” Brighton boss Hürzeler, meanwhile, praised his team’s pressing and quipped that Estevao had received a “real Premier League welcome.”
With Southampton and Spurs up next, plus a looming Champions League tie, the pressure is mounting on Maresca’s project. For Estevao, the message is clear: adapt quickly to the collective system or risk being sidelined in a season already riddled with setbacks.
