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Cole Palmer says Chelsea have a teenager who is an absolute ‘baller’ – and it’s not Estevao

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Chelsea boast one of the youngest squads in the Premier League, but there is one academy player who Cole Palmer believes has a bright future.

The Blues have made it a priority to sign younger players in recent years as they aim to build a squad for the future that’s capable of competing and growing to a high level.

The likes of Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Alejandro Garnacho have all brought the average age of the Chelsea squad down, as they continue their development at Stamford Bridge.

Estevao Willian is another youngster who has broken out at Chelsea this season after being signed in the summer, and the teenager has been gaining plenty of praise from pundits and fans.

While Enzo Maresca has likened Estevao to Eden Hazard, there is an even younger player than him at the club whom Palmer is keeping tabs on.

Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with goalscorer Estevao during the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen at Stamford Bridge on August 8.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Cole Palmer believes Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is a “baller”

Palmer took the time to watch Chelsea’s Under-19s in Youth Champions League action on Tuesday as they took on Benfica before the two first teams competed.

It was an impressive showing for the young Blues, who picked up a 5-2 win, with goals from Kobe Barbour and Ryan Kavuma-McQueen helping to secure the victory.

But it was 15-year-old Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli who caught everyone’s attention as he scored a hat-trick on the day, in what was a brilliant individual showcase.

His performance was a brilliant step in his own development, but it also caught the attention of Chelsea star Palmer, who jumped on his social media after the game to call him a “ballaaaaa.”

Since joining the club, Palmer has been Chelsea’s brightest star, becoming a key squad member despite only being 23 himself.

Throughout his career at Chelsea, Manchester City, and England, he’s played with some of the world’s best players. Therefore, seeing him give such high praise is a major compliment.

Who is Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli?

Nicoll-Jazuli is one of the brightest young players at Chelsea, and he made history for the club during the game against Benfica’s Under-19s.

He became the youngest player ever to represent Chelsea in the Youth Champions League, showcasing the club’s belief in him.

The teenager is a versatile midfielder who can operate centrally or in a more attacking role further up the pitch.

The 15-year-old has also been playing a year up at an international level as he has represented England’s Under-16s and already found the back of the net.

Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala are previous examples of players who have been able to achieve that feat, which is why there is so much hype around him within Chelsea.