£411m valued pair ready to have their first battle of many in Champions League clash | OneFootball

In his press conference before tonight’s game, Marc Cucurella was repeatedly asked about his upcoming battle with Barcelona’s star player Lamine Yamal. The Spaniard said he didn’t want it to become the “Cucurella vs. Yamal game.”

Well if it’s not that, then it’s just the Yamal vs. Estevao game. The best young player of the last couple of years is coming up against someone who looks ready to take that crown off him. Estevao may not start, but whatever  else happens in the game tonight his introduction will be one of the big moments.

Yamal and Estevao prepare to battle – and not for the last time

Lamine Yamal celebrates a goal for Barcelona (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Dom Smith’s piece for the Evening Standard this morning saw him cover just this theme. He notes that the pair have a combined transfer value of £411m according to the CIES sports observatory, making them the two most valuable teenage footballers in the world.

Cucurella knows them both well, playing with Estevao for Chelsea and Yamal for Spain. He jokes on Monday that he was using Estevao as preparation for Yamal.

“Both of them are very special players,” Cucurella said.

“They have a lot of talent, always want the ball, always try to do one-on-ones. These players can decide games.”

Yamal has a headstart given he’s already built an impressive career at senior level – but Estevao is catching up fast, and nobody will be surprised if it’s these two competing for the top collective and individual trophies for years to come.

In Barcelona build up news…

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was also speaking in the buildup to tonight’s game, and he was full of effusive praise for Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, and the whole BlueCo project.

We don’t expect to see Cole Palmer tonight – he’s been very much ruled out by his manager. But there’s no doubt that he’s getting close to a return from injury, despite a unique setback.