Ferreira to Chelsea's Maresca: 'Embrace' Estêvão After Club World Cup Showing

Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira has called on Chelsea's manager, Enzo Maresca, to "embrace" and "take care of" teenage sensation Estêvão Willian. This comes after Estêvão's impressive goal against Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal, although it wasn't enough to prevent the Premier League team from advancing to the semifinals.

Chelsea secured a 2-1 victory in Philadelphia, with an own goal in the 83rd minute by Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton sealing the win after Estêvão had equalized Cole Palmer's first-half goal. This win sets up a semifinal match against Fluminense in New Jersey next Tuesday.

Despite the loss, 18-year-old Estêvão was the star of the match, earning the Player of the Match award in what was his final appearance for Palmeiras before his anticipated move to Chelsea later this month. Chelsea secured Estêvão's signature a year ago for £33.8m ($46.1m) and then loaned him back to the Brazilian club.

Ferreira emphasized the importance of Chelsea carefully managing the young talent to unlock his full potential.

"I spoke before with Maresca," Ferreira told reporters. "He is a nice coach and I told him, 'you bought an amazing player, but more than this you bought an amazing person'."

"He is a kid that is 18 years old so Chelsea need to take care of him. They need to embrace him because in the beginning, for sure, he will make mistakes."

"Like you saw today, he is an amazing player with a lot of skill. He is a player who can win a game alone."

"When he started with Palmeiras, my first thought was that he wasn't too strong, but he's really good and has a lot of strength."

"He looks really slim, but he is strong. He's fast with his dribbling, he is an amazing player, and he is tough. Chelsea paid a lot for him, so congratulations Chelsea, because you have an amazing player."

Ferreira also mentioned he has jokingly warned Estêvão about the differences he will encounter in England.

"I told him the sun is not the same!" Ferreira joked. "In England it appears maybe 2-3 times a year and the night comes early."

"I am sure Chelsea have all the conditions to support him. He's a fantastic player, but he needs the help, for sure."

Maresca echoed this sentiment after witnessing Estêvão's performance, stating it was the "perfect night."

"I'm happy because we won and also happy because Estêvão scored," Maresca said. "The perfect night."

"He is very good, a huge talent, fantastic player. The only thing is when you come from South America or another part of the world is that you need to adapt, but we are going to help him. We have no doubt he will be an important player for Chelsea."