CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea Set Champions League Record As Estevao-Inspired Young Blues Dismantle Ajax

Chelsea Set Champions League Record As Estevao-Inspired Young Blues Dismantle Ajax

It was a night of fireworks at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s youth revolution made European history. The Blues, led by Enzo Maresca’s fearless approach, stormed to a 5-1 Champions League win over Ajax, marking one of the most memorable nights in the club’s modern history.

What made it even more special? Chelsea became the first team ever to have three different teenagers score in the same Champions League match.


History Makers At The Bridge

The record-breaking night began with Marc Guiu, just 19 years and 291 days old, showing nerves of steel to give Chelsea the early lead. His celebration barely settled before the spotlight shifted to Estevao, the Brazilian wonderkid already drawing comparisons to football’s biggest names.

At 18 years and 181 days, Estevao coolly converted a penalty — not only doubling Chelsea’s lead but also becoming the youngest Champions League scorer in club history, snatching the record from Guiu within minutes.

Then came Tyrique George, another academy sensation, who came off the bench and buried Chelsea’s fifth goal just three minutes after being introduced. With that strike, the Blues sealed the record — three different teenagers on the scoresheet, a feat no club had ever achieved in the competition’s history.


The Youth Revolution Continues

Maresca’s faith in youth didn’t stop there. The Italian boss handed a European debut to Reggie Walsh, just 17 years old, making him the youngest player in Chelsea’s Champions League history and the second youngest Englishman ever to feature in the competition after Jack Wilshere.

By full-time, ten Chelsea players aged 21 or younger had featured, and with an average starting age of just 22 years and 163 days, this was the second-youngest English side ever to start an elite European match.

It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.


Maresca’s Vision For The Future

After the match, Enzo Maresca praised his young team and reaffirmed Chelsea’s long-term strategy under BlueCo ownership — building a dynasty of homegrown and youthful talents.

“It’s the strategy of the club,” Maresca said. “We have so many young players. I know we’ll have moments when we struggle, but they want to learn, they want to improve, and that’s what matters.”

He reserved special praise for Estevao, calling him humble and hungry to grow — qualities that separate talent from greatness.

“Estevao is polite, humble, and his family has done a great job with him,” Maresca continued. “He reminds me of Cole Palmer — same age when I had him at City’s U23s. Estevao plays wide now, but I think in the future, he’ll be more of an inside player.”


The Dawn Of A New Chelsea

From Cobham to the Champions League, Chelsea’s new generation is proving that youth is not a weakness — it’s a weapon. Players like Guiu, Estevao, George, Lavia, and Walsh represent not just the future of the club, but a redefinition of what success at Stamford Bridge looks like.

And as Maresca said, it’s not just about results — it’s about excitement.

“Fans pay to see players like Cole and Estevao,” he smiled. “So it’s nice that we can have them — because they make football fun again.”


At Sports Market International, we spotlight the stories that redefine modern football — where strategy, talent, and vision collide. Chelsea’s youth-powered night wasn’t just a win; it was the start of something historic.

Because in the ever-evolving sports market, the future belongs to the bold — and at Stamford Bridge, that future has already arrived.

Abdul Noah Ocholi

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