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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Arthur Ferridge

Chelsea: Joe Cole compares 'brilliant' Estevao to Brazil legend after youngster stars in Ajax rout

Starboy: Estevao - (Getty Images)

Joe Cole likened Estevao to Neymar after the Chelsea youngster scored his first Champions League goal in a 5-1 rout of Ajax.

As a youngster, Estevao was often touted as Brazil’s most promising talent since Neymar, and he has made great strides towards fulfilling that prophecy since arriving in west London.

Enzo Maresca has eased him into life in the Premier League, but he earned the adoration of Chelsea fans by scoring a late winner to beat Liverpool before the international break.

He opened his Champions League account on Wednesday night, firing home from the spot to put the Blues well on their way to dismantling a sorry Ajax side.

Speaking at full-time, Chelsea great Cole said he sees shades of the former Barcelona and PSG star Neymar in Estevao’s style of play.

“He’s brilliant, he’s such a good watch,” Cole effused.

“Every time I watch him, I say it all the time: he gives me Neymar vibes.

“He goes both ways, he’s got brilliant balance and from the first moment he pulled on a Chelsea shirt in a friendly here, he came on for 20 minutes and had the crowd on their feet two or three times.

“He’s one of those players you love watching.”

Chelsea’s youthful squad, led by the 18-year-old Estevao, made history on Wednesday as three teenagers scored for one team in a Champions League match for the first time in the competition’s history. Marc Guiu and Tyrique George, both 19, bookended the Blues’ rout to claim that honour.

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