ENZO MARESCA can look forward to a glittering future with his two superstars next season.
A stunning strike from Cole Palmer and an equally classy equaliser from imminent arrival Estevao Willian had the Chelsea manager beaming.
But never underestimate the value of a scruffy own goal because that is what saved Maresca’s skin and put Chelsea within touching distance of a much-needed £97 million windfall.
And boy, do they need that cash as they pack up and head for New Jersey and the Club World Cup semi-final.
Having been fined £31 million by UEFA for spending breaches hours before kick off, this B-list tournament played in the middle of the night for everyone back home has suddenly taken on much more importance.
Chelsea will bank around double that for reaching Tuesday’s last-four meeting with Brazilians Fluminense.
But in pure football terms, head coach Maresca has emerged as the real winner.
He watched Palmer turn on the magic in the first half to put his team ahead with a goal of pure instinctive brilliance.
And while it was temporarily painful, there is no doubt the Italian will be licking his lips after watching new signing Estevao set up a dramatic finale with a leveller of ruthless quality as he said goodbye to his current club.
It could be the perfect marriage of Manchester and the Maracana as England’s Palmer and his soon-to-be new teammate signalled how much more dashing they will be up front next term.
Even more so when striker Joao Pedro came off the bench and looked immediately at home at Chelsea after a £60m move from Brighton.
Maresca said: “I am happy because we won and also happy because Estevao scored, the perfect night.
“You can see he is a huge talent. You can see is a fantastic player.
“The only thing now is when you come from South America or another part of the world to Europe you need to adapt.
“We are going to help him to adapt and, first of all, to enjoy football.
“We don’t have any doubt, as he is so good, that he is going to be an important player for Chelsea.”
Maresca and his team march on deep into this tournament despite a few hairy moments.
Estevao, 18, has been hyped up like the new Pele in recent weeks as these two teams have drawn closer to last night’s meeting.
There is no doubt he is uber-talented. He also possesses the ability to wind up opponents like a flashy youth over-revving a souped up Ford Capri.
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella went out of his way ahead of the game to say how he would make the youngster feel wanted.
None of us thought it would be quite in the way he did, with the battle-hardened left back taking a dislike to Estevao’s showboating step-overs and late lunge on defender Levi Colwill.
For that, he got wiped out by Chelsea captain Enzo Fernandez and was then left in a heap after tangling with Cucurella.
Welcome to English football, my son.
Although Willian would later leave a mark on Chelsea with his quality goal in the second half.
I am moving on and I thank Palmeiras for everything.
Willian Estevao
The teenager was named man of the match and said: “I’m very happy I could score a goal to help my club.
“Unfortunately, this wasn’t the result we wanted, but we gave our best on the pitch and now
“I am moving on and I thank Palmeiras for everything.”
Palmer stepped out of the shadows with a flash of brilliance that put Chelsea ahead on 16 minutes with his first goal at the Club World Cup.
With his back to goal, he picked up a grass level through ball from Trevoh Chalobah, swivelled to his right, rolling centre half Micael, before slotting the ball in with the deftest poke of his left foot.
The ball never travelled faster than 14mph en route to the back of the net – an indication of how precise this boy can be when he is in the mood to shine.
This replay of the 2022 Club World Cup final belonged to the Premier League side as it did three years ago, but only just.
It began with a poorly observed moment’s silence in honour of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota’s death, with emotional Chelsea winger Pedro Neto holding what looked like a shirt with his friend’s name on it in tribute.
It ended with frenetic football and Malo Gusto – a full-back having a hard time at present, subbed at half time in last month’s Conference League final, playing a vital role in sending Chelsea through.
The Frenchman picked up a pass from Fernandez as he darted into the box and tried to cross.
The ball spun off Palmeiras defender Agustin Giay and past the keeper to put Chelsea seven minutes from time.
And now it’s Maresca and his band off to New Jersey – Bruce Springsteen country. Glory Days are just around the corner.
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