Marc Cucurella is definite one among his Chelsea teammates will reach the extent of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal ahead of their Champions League clash.
The Blues welcome the Spanish champions to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in a match between two of Europe’s best teams.
Some have framed the sport as a clash between one of the best two teenagers in world football: Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal and Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian.
Yamal needs little introduction. The 18-year-old has already recorded a staggering 73 goal contributions in 118 games for his club and played a key role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph.
Estevao only moved to west London last summer in a transfer value as much as £51million but has quickly turn into a fan-favourite and while Maresca has been hesitant to begin the 18-year-old too often, he’s already a key player for Brazil.
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Chelsea and Spain star Cucurella is teammates with each wingers and says Estevao already shares a whole lot of traits with Yamal.
‘They’re each very special players,’ the left-back said within the pre-match press conference.
‘They’ve a whole lot of talent, they all the time want the ball, they all the time attempt to do the one-v-ones. These players can resolve the games.
‘The one difference for the time being is that Lamine has played in Europe for a couple of seasons and Estevao arrived this season. But he’s doing rather well and if he continues improving he can arrive at Lamine’s level.
‘They’re each very funny, they benefit from the ball, they all the time have a smile on their face. In the event that they are glad they’ll perform at the highest level.’
Suggested to him that training against Estevao could prepare him for Yamal, Cucurella laughingly added: ‘I told Estevao to wear shin guards at training! I’m sure it’ll be a troublesome battle with Lamine.’
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca also raved about Estevao within the press conference, but told his player to not concern himself with the comparisons to Yamal.
‘Estevao is already playing high level, he’s already starting for Brazil,’ the Italian said. Needless to say he may be very young, of course he can do many things higher, but we’re very glad with him.
‘For me, it’s nice for those who love football to look at players like Estevao, like Lamine Yamal, like Pedri, that is the great thing about football. So we’re glad that Estevao is with us, and of course he’s going to do well.
‘Estevao goes to be of course a crucial player for this club for the longer term. For me personally, crucial thing for Estevao is that he has to enjoy football, he needs to be glad.
‘He has to not take into consideration being higher than this player or the opposite player, he has simply to be higher than himself day-by-day, attempt to work hard, improve. Again of course, he’s going to be a top player for this club.’
Estevao is predicted to begin against Barcelona having been accomplished rested on the weekend as Chelsea beat Burnley 2-0, a result that has moved the Blues as much as second within the Premier League table.
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