After Chelsea’s comprehensive win over Ajax in midweek, Jorrel Hato made a comparison between Blues teammate Estevao Willian and Barcelona star Lamine Yamal.
The Blues picked up three points in the Champions League on Wednesday night, thrashing Ajax 5-1 under the lights at Stamford Bridge.
Even though Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made 10 changes to his starting line-up, he watched his team cruise to victory. Admittedly, Ajax captain Kenneth Taylor’s dismissal for his nasty challenge on Facundo Buonanotte made things a lot easier.
Marc Guiu, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Estevao Willian, and Tyrique George were the five goalscorers for the home side. 18-year-old Estevao was the individual who really entertained on the European stage, though.
Estevao scored a clinical penalty to put the Blues 4-1 ahead, and he owes Fernandez because the captain handed the spot-kick to him. On top of his goal, the Brazilian youngster played with the kind of creativity and freedom with the ball at his feet to bamboozle the opposition.
Paul Robinson insisted Estevao has a massive future ahead of him during his latest spectacular display.
Jorrel Hato after Chelsea beat Ajax at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Jorrel Hato makes Estevao Willian and Lamine Yamal claim
According to Blues defender Jorrel Hato, Barcelona attacker Lamine Yamal is the only other player he’s seen on Estevao’s level as a teenager.
When discussing Chelsea teammate Estevao, Hato said via HaytersTV: “He was really good today again. He’s very young, he’s even younger than me, but such a great player.
“Have I seen a teenager like this? Maybe Lamine Yamal. But I cannot name any other names, I think.”
Brazilian legend Zico recently compared Estevao to Yamal, two dazzling left-footed players who love to cut infield from the right flank.
Yamal finished second overall in the ranking for the 2025 Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player. Hopefully, it won’t be long before the Chelsea talent is in the same conversation.
Chelsea star Jorrel Hato during the Champions League match against Ajax.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
How far behind Lamine Yamal is Estevao Willian?
Barcelona superstar Yamal, who’s still only 18, is in the conversation for the best footballer on the planet.
The Spanish teenager has been sensational on the right wing since he broke into Barcelona’s first-team squad a couple of years ago.
Team Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
Barcelona 113 28 39 4
Spain 23 6 12 1
Currently, Estevao is still significantly behind Yamal in terms of his career achievements. However, the Chelsea rising star possesses the potential to achieve greatness in the future.
Team Appearances Goals Assists Trophies
Palmeiras 83 27 15 1
Chelsea 11 2 1 0
Brazil 9 3 0 0
Although Estevao is completing more dangerous passes than Yamal this season, it is still too early to put them in the same category. We do expect the duo to be compared throughout their careers, though.