Chelsea made UEFA Champions League history during Wednesday night’s 5-1 home win over Ajax.
The Blues became the first team ever to have three different teenage goalscorers in a Champions League match, with Marc Guiu (19), Estevao Willian (18) and Tyrique George (19) all finding the net after Ajax had been reduced to 10 men in the 17th minute.
Chelsea are also the first Premier League side since the 1992/93 season to have three teenage scorers in any competitive fixture.
Three teenagers among the goals as Chelsea thrash Ajax 5-1
It was another emphatic night under the lights at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca’s much-changed team recorded their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor was shown a straight red card midway through the first half for a reckless challenge on Facundo Buonanotte — and Chelsea immediately took control.
Guiu opened the scoring a minute later, reacting quickest to a Wesley Fofana header across goal. The Spanish forward’s strike made him Chelsea’s youngest-ever Champions League scorer, aged 19 and 291 days, only for Estevao (18 years and 86 days) to break that record half an hour later when he confidently converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Teenager Marc Guiu opened the scoring for Chelsea in Wednesday’s 5-1 win over Ajax
Before Estevao’s moment, Moises Caicedo had made it 2-0 with a deflected effort from 25 yards, and although Wout Weghorst briefly pulled one back from the spot, captain Enzo Fernandez restored the two-goal lead with another penalty late in the first half.
Tyrique George then made it 5-1 just after the break with a deflected shot from the edge of the box — his first goal in Europe — as Chelsea continued to dominate possession and chances throughout.
Reggie Walsh becomes Chelsea’s youngest-ever Champions League player
The historic night continued late on when Reggie Walsh, aged 17 years and two days, came off the bench to replace Romeo Lavia, becoming Chelsea’s youngest player in Champions League history.
He is also the second-youngest Englishman ever to appear in the competition, behind Jack Wilshere, who debuted for Arsenal at 16 years and 329 days in 2008.
Chelsea are now up to 11th in the Champions League league-phase table, level on points with Newcastle United, and will travel to Qarabag in their next European fixture on November 5.
Enzo Maresca praises humility of Estevao and Chelsea’s academy stars
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca was delighted with the performance and the maturity shown by his young players in Wednesday’s 5-1 thrashing of Ajax.
“We trust a lot the younger players — that’s the strategy of the club,” he told TNT Sports. “Not only the ones we buy, but the ones from the academy.
“It’s exciting to see Estevao. The odd thing about young players is you worry they have one good game and think they’re top, but Estevao is polite, humble and wants to learn. His family did a great job there. We’re happy not only with how he performs but because he’s a nice boy, a good boy.”
Maresca also compared Estevao to Cole Palmer, whom the Italian coached during his time working as part of Pep Guardiola’s staff at Manchester City.
“He’s very similar to Cole,” Maresca explained. “Cole started wide and now plays inside. I think Estevao will go the same way — he’s wide now, but in future he’ll be more of an inside player.”
Estevao, who was recently dubbed Brazil’s best talent since Neymar, has now scored four goals in his last five games for club and country.
Chelsea fans believe ‘the future is Blue’ after youngsters shine in Champions League
Social media was full of excitement from Chelsea supporters after the 5-1 victory.
“The future is Blue,” declared multiple fans on X.
Another message read: “Talk about a future dynasty. Chelsea’s teenage trio just made history. These guys are going to be ones to watch for years to come.”
A different fan posted: “The Blues babies are ready for action.”
Other messages hailed the “abundance of talent at Cobham”, while many backed Maresca’s young side to go all the way in this season’s Champions League.
Chelsea have been by far the youngest team in the Premier League this season, with the average age of their starting XIs more than four years lower than Everton’s.
