What Chelsea’s Maresca said of Nigerian talent after setting Premier League record vs Iwobi’s Fulham

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was full of praise for Tyrique George after the 19-year-old netted a stunning equaliser to spark a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports. 

The home side dominated the first half and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Nigeria international Alex Iwobi coolly slotted home to give Fulham a deserved lead. It was Iwobi’s ninth goal of an increasingly impressive campaign for the Super Eagles midfielder.

But Chelsea responded strongly after the break and were finally rewarded in the 83rd minute.

George — who had scored his first senior goal for the club just days earlier in Europe — fired home his first-ever Premier League goal with a crisp, first-time finish from the edge of the box, just five minutes after coming on for Nicolas Jackson.

There’s so much to like about Tyrique George here:

– Doesn’t waste time celebrating
– Mentality to keep going to find the winner
– Great positioning
– Super shooting technique
– Taking the shot first time

There’s something special about him!!pic.twitter.com/udTFK1qf1v

— The Other Side Of The Coin (@TOSOTC_CFC) April 20, 2025

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Pedro Neto then sealed the win deep into stoppage time with a brilliant strike to lift Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

What Chelsea boss Maresca said of George’s goal

George and Neto’s strikes have drawn the admiration of Maresca, who claims he never lost belief in the ability of his side to rescue a win.

“To be honest I was quite positive [that we’d get back into the game] because the team were creating chances, and we were doing well,” Maresca told Chelseafc.

“Sometimes you also have to have a little bit of luck go your way, and I think Tyrique’s goal gave us that extra energy, an extra boost. Like I said, I was quite positive because the team was performing well.

“It was a fantastic goal from Pedro, as it was from Tyrique, but I think the entire team played well. Trevoh was good, Levi was good, the ones in the middle – Moi and Enzo, Cole was better. So I was happy for all of them.”

George’s strike made history, as he became the youngest Nigeria-eligible player to score for Chelsea in the Premier League at 19 years and 75 days — breaking Carney Chukwuemeka’s record set in August 2023.

Only Celestine Babayaro, in 1998, has also scored for Chelsea in the league as a Nigerian teenager.

Since being permanently promoted to the first team in December, George has registered six goal involvements — two goals and four assists — in 20 appearances across all competitions. His performances have not gone unnoticed by Nigeria’s scouting network.

With talent, composure and confidence well beyond his years, Tyrique George is quickly establishing himself as one of Chelsea’s brightest young prospects.