Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had high praise for one Premier League starlet while speaking on Sky Sports' coverage ahead of Sunday's games in the competition
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter
16:08, 25 Jan 2026
Jamie Carragher speaks on Sky Sports' Premier League coverage
Jamie Carragher compared Estevao Willian to Cristiano Ronaldo(Image: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher claimed Estevao Willian's transfer to Chelsea reminded him of Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Manchester United.
The 18-year-old joined the Blues last summer for an initial fee of $39 million plus a further $29 million in add-ons as he left Brazilian side Palmeiras. A move to Stamford Bridge was actually announced in 2024, but he only joined a year later on his 18th birthday.
That meant he actually played the Premier League side in the Club World Cup quarterfinals and even scored against his soon-to-be employer, but Chelsea went on to defeat Palmeiras 2-1 before going on to win the entire competition.
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In his debut season at the Bridge, he's so far scored six goals and assisted three goals in 27 games as the Brazil international has impressed fans despite his tender age.
His first goal for the club was one to remember as he scored in the 95th minute to earn Chelsea a 2-1 win over Liverpool.
His heroics earned him the nickname of "wonderkid" by Erling Haaland after the match, and Carragher has since discussed his lofty potential.
Speaking prior to Chelsea's clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday - which Estevao opened the scoring in - the Liverpool icon said: "He was actually my one to watch at the start of the season.
"He did really well in the Club World Cup, I think he came up against Chelsea, it was one of those Ronaldo moments where people at Manchester United were like, 'We've got to sign him,'"
It was in 2023 when Sir Alex Ferguson famously urged Manchester United to sign the Portuguese footballer after facing him in a friendly while he played for Sporting CP. Carragher continued: "He was that good against Chelsea.
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"Listen, he can't play every week and 90 minutes, he's a young player, but I think we all recognize when someone pretty special comes into the Premier League and that's certainly what he's looked [like] when he's played for Chelsea.
"That could help him, he's not getting involved too deep on the ball, they want him high and wide and the ball isn't going to come as often, but actually when they get into those dangerous areas, as we saw with Cole Palmer, he can get out wide quickly."
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Carragher's compliments echo what he said about the Brazilian talent following his debut against Palace last August, as he said: "He looks pretty special.
"I think in a few pre-season games as well in the last couple of weeks that they’ve played well, he’s done particularly well."
He's since been in and out of the team and has scored just one league goal since his strike against Liverpool. He did, however, net in three Champions League games in a row, including a stunning effort in a 3-0 win against Barcelona.