Chelsea’s assistant coach Willy Caballero defends the club’s patient approach to young players, highlighting the importance of gradual integration into the team.

Willy Caballero, Chelsea’s assistant coach and former goalkeeper, has praised the club’s careful handling of its young talents, particularly 18-year-old Brazilian sensation Willian Estevao. 

After scoring a dramatic late winner in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool, Estevao had successfully put his name on the lips of Chelsea fans. Caballero attributed the player’s success to the club’s patient approach, emphasizing that integrating young players into the team takes time.

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Caballero explained that the club’s strategy involves giving young players opportunities to play, while also being mindful of the challenges they face. “It’s not just Estevao. We are doing a great job with many of the players because a lot of them are young,” he said. “They have to face the opportunity to play from the start, or sometimes not playing, on the bench, or in the stands. It’s part of their growth.”

The Argentine coach defended the decision to ease Estevao into Premier League football, rather than rushing his integration into the starting lineup. “We know that a young player can suffer when he moves from another country to settle down here and to play for this club,” Caballero noted.

Caballero also highlighted the importance of teamwork and support in helping young players settle in. “The players are doing a great job to involve all the new ones,” he said. “I can speak with him most of the time in Spanish because he understands. He’s a really good kid, and we are so happy for him because he needed that goal, and we needed it too.”

The victory over Liverpool was a significant milestone for Estevao, who came off the bench to score the winning goal. Caballero praised the player’s attitude and dedication, saying that he was “so happy” for him.