Estevao tipped to reach Lamine Yamal 'level', Enzo Maresca confirms Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea's UEFA Champions League match against Barcelona

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Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and Barcelona will see teenage stars Estevao and Lamine Yamal go up against each other, and the former has been told he can reach the latter’s “level”. Meanwhile, The Blues will be without Cole Palmer again for the match at Stamford Bridge, but Enzo Maresca is hopeful he will not be out for too much longer after suffering a broken toe.

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Chelsea star Estevao has been told he can reach Lamine Yamal's "level" if he continues to impress with The Blues.

The suggestion comes as Chelsea prepare to meet the Spanish champions Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

There has been much talk about two impressive teenagers going head-to-head during the Champions League showdown, but Enzo Maresca wants his Brazilian winger, Estevao, to ignore any comparisons to Barca’s Spanish star, Yamal.

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Yamal’s upward trajectory in the game has never faltered since making his Barcelona debut at 15 years old.

Since then, the 18-year-old has become a mainstay for club and country and was runner-up to Ousmane Dembele in this year’s Ballon d’Or.

For Estevao, he finally arrived at Stamford Bridge from Palmeiras after his 18th birthday earlier this year and has instantly impressed with four goals and performances to get Chelsea fans excited about his potential.

"He [Estevao] is already playing at a high level, starting for Brazil, he is young and can do many things better. It's nice for people who love football to watch players like Estevao, Yamal and Pedri," Maresca said.

"We're happy Estevao is with us."

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Asked whether Estevao can be as influential for Chelsea as Yamal has proven to be for Barcelona in the early stages of his career, Maresca said: "Estevao can be… He is going to be for sure an important player for this club for the future, no doubt.

"Now, for me personally, the most important thing for Estevao now is to enjoy football. He has to be happy and has to not think about being better than this player or the other player. He has just to be better than himself day by day, try to work hard and improve. Again, for sure, he is going to be a top player for this club."

Estevao has also gained the admiration of his team-mates, with Marc Cucurella expecting him to reach the levels of Yamal - once he has got more minutes of top-level football under his belt.

"I think both of them are very special players, they have a lot of talent, always want the ball, do one-v-ones, they are players that can decide the games," Cucurella said.

"The difference now is that Lamine has played in Europe for a few seasons. If Estevao keeps it up, I think he can arrive at Lamine's level. They enjoy, love the ball, express themselves."

Chelsea's Spanish defender #03 Marc Cucurella, Chelsea's English midfielder #10 Cole Palmer, Chelsea's English defender #04 Tosin Adarabioyo, Chelsea's Ecuadorian midfielder #25 Moises Caicedo and Chelsea's French defender #27 Malo Gusto take part in a team training session at the Chelsea training ground in Cobham, west of London on November 24, 2025, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League league phase football match against Barcelona.

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Palmer to return 'soon'

Cole Palmer is back "on the pitch" but will not be fit to face Barcelona following his latest injury setback.

The England midfielder’s return to action was further delayed after he broke his toe by stubbing it on a door during an accident at home.

He is also expected to miss Chelsea’s next Premier League match, which is at home to Arsenal on Sunday, November 30.

Palmer has not played since the end of September due to a groin injury and, just as he had returned to training and on the brink of working his way back into Maresca’s side, he was forced to wait a little while longer as his toe recovers.

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Giving an update at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: "Yes, Cole is wearing a boot.

"We don’t know when [he will be back to full fitness], but it will be soon. He is already on the pitch and already touching the ball. The feeling is good.

"At the moment, we are only looking at tomorrow’s game. It’s a Champions League game against Barcelona, that is our focus and then we will look ahead to Arsenal.

"I don’t think he will be available for these two games, but he is doing well."