Jorrel Hato labels Estevao 'special one' after eye-catching display in Chelsea's Champions League win over Ajax

Estevao announced his arrival in the UEFA Champions League in Chelsea's 5-1 drubbing of Ajax on Wednesday, becoming the club's youngest-ever goalscorer in the competition. His performance earned comparisons to Cole Palmer from manager Enzo Maresca, while team-mate Jorrel Hato evoked Jose Mourinho by calling the 18-year-old a "special one". Estevao joined Chelsea from Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Jorrel Hato called Chelsea team-mate Estevao a "special one" after the teenager's impressive performance against Ajax in the UEFA Champions League.

The Brazilian netted his first goal in the competition and tormented the visiting defenders as Chelsea won 5-1.

His display earned him high praise from team-mate Hato, who left Ajax for Stamford Bridge in the summer.

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"He's such a good player, great technically," Hato said of Estevao.

"He has a good left foot, a really good left foot. You see how he scores the penalty. I think he's a special one."

Hato, 19, was one of several youngsters in the Chelsea line-up against Ajax, as Enzo Maresca picked the youngest line-up of any team in the Champions League so far this season, with an average age of just 22 years and 163 days.

The Blues also became the first team in the competition's history to have three teenage goalscorers in a single game, after Marc Guiu and Tyrique George, both 19, found the net along with Estevao.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"We have a young group. I'm 19 but I'm not even the youngest, so that says a lot," Hato added.

"We have such a lot of young players with a lot of quality, and I think those young players are really hungry and ready for games like this.

"It's crazy, but yeah, Marc and Estevao are both players with a lot of quality, so for me it's not a shock.

"We have young players, but Reece [James] for example is a player who was here for a long time, who has a lot of experience. Players like Tosin [Adarabioyo], Cucu [Marc Cucurella], who are already older, they have experience as well, so it's not really different.

"No, the group is only younger, but with a lot of quality, so that doesn't matter."

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Hato has been eased into action by Maresca since joining Chelsea, and he admitted some adjustment has been required.

"I have the same feeling. It's not easy if you go from the Dutch league to the Premier League. It's such a big difference, and I knew that," Hato said.

"I was maybe struggling a bit in the beginning, but I think every day it's better and better."

Hato played 90 minutes for just the second time in a Chelsea shirt against former club Ajax, and added: "A 5-1 win in the Champions League is a big win. I think we had a good game from the start.

"The game changed with the red card from Ajax, but our level didn't drop, so we kept playing and created chances."

Maresca praises 'humble' Estevao

It was not only team-mates who expressed their admiration for Estevao.

Maresca highlighted the youngster's character after his statement performance.

"It’s exciting to see him," Maresca told TNT Sports. "The good thing about Estevao, sometimes with young players we are worried, because they have one good game and they think they are already [at the] top.

"Estevao, he’s playing well, but he’s polite, he’s humble, he wants to learn.

"I think his family are also doing a big job there, so we are very happy not only with the way he’s performing, but he’s a nice boy, a good boy."

'Humble' Estevao is 'very similar' to Palmer - Maresca

Video credit: TNT Sports

The Chelsea boss added: "In the Premier League, he [Estevao] needs a little bit more time.

"I think he’s more [of a] winger, but he’s going to finish playing inside the pitch, in the pockets.

"For me, it’s very, very similar to Cole [Palmer]. I had Cole at the same age as Estevao at [Man] City U23 and they are very similar.

"Cole started playing wide because he needed a bit [more] physicality; now he’s playing inside.

"And Estevao, they are quite similar. Now he’s playing wide but in the future I think he’s more of an inside player."

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