Enzo Maresca insists that he and his Chelsea players "don't care" about coming up against future Blues star Estevao Willian in the Club World Cup.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Blues play Palmeiras in CWCWill come face-to-face with EstevaoBrazilian signed for £56 million ($71m)Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea face Palmeiras in the Club World Cup round of 16, meaning the Blues will come face-to-face with Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian, who they have signed for a gigantic £56m fee. The 18-year-old is poised to join the west London giants at the end of the tournament but Maresca insists he and his players are paying little attention to the teenager.
AdvertisementGOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Estevao already has five caps for Brazil, and 82 appearances for Palmeiras, under his belt at such a tender age. With the Brazilian club, he has scored 26 goals and laid on 15 assists, but it is unclear how he will fare in the hustle and bustle of the Premier League. Their clash with Chelsea will be a key indicator.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
Maresca told reporters: "When we prepare for games, we prepare thinking about the team, not the players that are on the other side, and we have done exactly the same in this game.
"We prepare for the game against Palmeiras, not against Estevao. In this moment he is a Palmeiras player.
"We don't care if in the future he will be with us when this competition is finished. The only thing we are focused on is doing our best to try to beat Palmeiras."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Estevao will hope to provide a preview of his abilities against the Blues at the tournament as Palmeiras aim to reach the semi-finals at the expense of Maresca's men.