When Chelsea host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday night, all eyes will be on two 18-year-old wingers tipped as future Ballon d'Or winners: Estêvão Willian and Lamine Yamal. The Brazilian, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer for £52 million, has made a strong start to life in England, scoring four goals and winning over fans with his electrifying performances.
Estêvão dislikes comparisons, having rejected the nickname 'Messinho' earlier in his career. 'I don't like comparisons,' he told ESPN Brasil last year. 'For those who don't know how to deal with it, it's quite disruptive. Me being Estêvão is very good.' Despite this, parallels with Yamal are striking: both are left-footed, play on the right, and excel at cutting inside to deliver crosses or shoot.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is focused on protecting Estêvão from burnout as he adjusts to the Premier League's physicality. The teenager has made only seven starts in all competitions but has already become a starter for Brazil, scoring twice during the recent international break. His first league goal came in dramatic fashion, a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool last month.
Marc Cucurella, who plays with Estêvão at Chelsea and Yamal for Spain, said: 'Both of them are very special players. They always want the ball. The only difference is that Lamine has been playing in Europe for maybe two or three seasons and Estêvão arrived this season – but he's doing really well. If he continues improving he can be at Lamine's level.'
Yamal, three months younger, has had more exposure to elite competition, having starred for Spain in their Euro 2024 final win over England and helped Barcelona win La Liga last season. Estêvão, by contrast, played much of his football in South America before moving to Europe. Chelsea agreed their deal with Palmeiras in May 2024 but allowed him to stay with the Brazilian club for another year.
Do not expect Estêvão to be overawed by the occasion. He is already a Brazil international and would be making his 100th club appearance if he plays against Barcelona. With his talent and character, Chelsea believe he can reach the very top.
