“I believe he’s one” – Reece James makes major Estevao claim as he lavishes teenager with praise

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the Chelsea News

·23 May 2026

“I believe he’s one” – Reece James makes major Estevao claim as he lavishes teenager with praise

Estevao is a once in a generation talent and is much more advanced than he should be for his age according to Reece James.

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Chelsea agreed a deal with Brazilian side Palmeiras in the summer of 2024 potentially worth up to £51.4m, and he finally arrived after the Club World Cup last summer.

Estevao showed promise in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and scored eight goals and registered four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Reece James hails Estevao as a generational talent

Estevao’s season was cut short after he suffered a grade four hamstring injury in last month’s defeat against Manchester United.

Not only did it end his season early, Estevao has also missed out on the World Cup this summer due to the injury.

However, it’s been reported Chelsea are hopeful he’ll be fit to return early in pre-season and take part in the tour of Australia and Asia.

Estevao is regarded as the most talented player to emerge from Brazil since Neymar, and he’s shown glimpses of that this season.

Next season he’ll be looking to develop further under Xabi Alonso, but James believes the 19-year-old is a generational talent.

“There’s very few that come through and you think he’s once in a generation, but when you see one, you know one, and I believe he’s one,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think for his age, he’s so much more advanced than he should be on the field.

“The way he thinks, the decisions he makes is high level.”

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