Young Chelsea players excel in 5-1 win over 10-man Ajax
Chelsea capitalised fully on an early sending-off for Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor, securing a 5-1 victory against the Dutch powerhouse in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Enzo Maresca's bold choice to alter the lineup with 10 switches proved rewarding, as Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo found the net, followed by Enzo Fernandez and Estevao scoring from penalty kicks during the opening half.
Tyrique George added the final goal in the second period, creating a historic moment in the Champions League where three teenagers netted for one team for the very first time.
"We trust a lot of young players," said Maresca following the strikes from Guiu, Estevao and George. "That is the strategy of the club, but not only the ones that we buy. Also the ones from the academy."
This success delivered consecutive Champions League triumphs after their initial loss to Bayern Munich on opening night.
The Blues have advanced to 11th spot in the standings, whereas Ajax linger at the base of the Champions League table.
Ajax travelled to London without any points or goals recorded in this season's Champions League thus far.
Dealing with an injury surge after clinching the Club World Cup in July, Maresca evidently selected the encounter with the four-time European winners as a chance to spare several vital squad members.
Merely Romeo Lavia, who was replaced at the interval during the City Ground clash, remained from the lineup that triumphed 3-0 over Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Nonetheless, this setup brought back Fernandez from his injury layoff, featured the club's highest-value purchase Caicedo, and included the Brazilian talent Estevao.
"It's a very demanding season, so we need to rotate, otherwise it's complicated for the ones that play all the games," added Maresca.
Ajax endured clear defeats against Inter Milan and Marseille in their initial pair of matches, with prospects of revival fading instantly after VAR reviewed Taylor's forceful tackle on Facundo Buonanotte, changing it from a caution to ejection in the 15th minute.
Maresca encountered queries regarding Chelsea's conduct ahead of the match, given that his squad saw a player dismissed in four of the prior six outings.
On this occasion, they utilised the extra player to their benefit.
Off the free-kick stemming from Taylor's removal, Guiu volleyed in Wesley Fofana's headed delivery across the penalty area.
Caicedo had managed only three goals for Chelsea since his £115 million ($154 million) transfer from Brighton in 2023 before this term, yet he holds four strikes already in the current campaign.
The Ecuadorian gained a touch of luck when his attempt bounced off Josip Sutalo into the net.
Ajax gained a short-lived boost when Tosin Adarabioyo accidentally stepped on Raul Moro's boot, permitting Wout Weghorst to bury the penalty.
Still, two further penalties arrived prior to halftime, enabling Chelsea to secure the result.
Weghorst received a foul call for bringing down Fernandez, who composed himself to place the kick accurately.
Estevao subsequently delivered what promises to be the initial entry in a lengthy list of Champions League tallies.
The 18-year-old secured the penalty and struck it powerfully over Remko Pasveer with poise.
Maresca implemented four additional swaps to commence the second half, pulling Fernandez and Caicedo among others.
George required merely three minutes from the substitutes' bench to leave his imprint, drilling a sharp low effort after Andrey Santos's clever backheel.