Throughout 2026, Chelsea have predominantly lined up with the youngest squad by average age in the Premier League and one of the youngest across Europe. As a result, the Blues have representation at the 2026 edition of the Golden Boy award.

The Golden Boy award celebrates and recognises footballers under the age of 21 across Europe. The original shortlist consists of 25 names and is hosted by Italian news outlet Tuttosport.

Chelsea once again have representatives at this year’s awards, with Brazilian star Estevao Willian and Dutch full-back Jorrel Hato among the nominees. Both have been nominated for a second consecutive season.

In the last 12 months, despite not seeing the pitch as regularly as he had hoped, Estevao has still managed to light up Stamford Bridge on several occasions, most notably in the 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona back in November 2025.

The 19-year-old also netted the winner in the 2-1 victory over Liverpool in October 2025. The Brazilian has also endured a turbulent period of managerial changes. Despite joining officially in July 2025, he has had three permanent coaches - Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior and now Xabi Alonso - as well as one interim manager, Calum McFarlane. To add to the turbulence and lack of momentum, a hamstring injury kept him out of the last World Cup.

Chelsea’s other nomination is Jorrel Hato. The Dutch full-back has seen his role at the Blues grow after Marc Cucurella's departure to Real Madrid. Like Estevao, the 20-year-old has endured a difficult transition amid managerial changes and has struggled to get the minutes he initially expected.

Hato made a strong start to the 2026/27 season, registering an assist in back-to-back matches against Brighton and Arsenal, but was recently withdrawn at half-time in the 2-2 home draw with Hull City for tactical reasons.

No Chelsea player has ever won the Golden Boy award since its inception in 2003, but multiple names from Stamford Bridge have been nominated. New signing Geovany Quenda was nominated for the 2025 award, along with Mamadou Sarr. Academy star Levi Colwill was recognised back in 2023. 

The west London side once had five nominees during the 2019 ceremony, including Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ethan Ampadu, Billy Gilmour and Dujon Sterling.

Both Estevao and Jorrel Hato have already received two consecutive nominations, and both would be eligible for a third, given that they are under 21. Academy graduate Josh Acheampong, 20, will be hoping for a breakout season after suffering similar turbulence to Estevao and Hato.

Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Manchester City), Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain),Yan Diomande (Real Madrid), Luka Vušković (Brighton & Hove Albion), Victor Froholdt (Porto), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Rayan (Bournemouth), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Estêvão (Chelsea), Endrick (Real Madrid), Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica), Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund), Saïd El Mala (Cologne), Jon Martín (Real Sociedad), Marc Bernal (Barcelona), Kerim Alajbegović (Juventus), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart), Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina), Rodrigo Mora (Roma), Xavi Espart (Barcelona).