The prize recognises Europe's best young players each year, with the Blues pair joining 18 others on the list of nominees for 2026.

Hato has established himself in the Netherlands set-up, helping his nation reach the round of 32 at this summer's FIFA World Cup, before returning to the Blues and becoming a regular under Xabi Alonso this season.

The defender's form has rightly earned him recognition as one of the very best young players in the world. Joining him on that elite list is Estevao, who has featured in all bar one of our matches so far this season.

After a fine first campaign for the Blues following his move from Palmeiras, the Brazilian international has become a regular for the Selecao under our former boss Carlo Ancelotti. He has scored six goals in his 14 international appearances, and his strong domestic and international form has earned him a well-deserved Golden Boy nomination.

2026 Golden Boy shortlist

Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona, Spain), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Manchester City, Morocco), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Yan Diomande (Real Madrid, Ivory Coast), Luka Vuskovic (Brighton & Hove Albion, Croatia), Victor Froholdt (Porto, Denmark), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal, England), Rayan (Bournemouth, Brazil), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea, Netherlands), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich, Germany), Estevao Willian (Chelsea, Brazil), Endrick (Real Madrid, Brazil), Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth, France), Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica, Argentina), Konstantinos Karetsas (Borussia Dortmund, Greece), Said El Mala (Koln, Germany), Jon Martin (Real Sociedad, Spain), Marc Bernal (Barcelona, Spain), Kerim Alajbegovic (Juventus, Bosnia & Herzegovina), Finn Jeltsch (Stuttgart, Germany), Charalampos Kostoulas (Brighton & Hove Albion, Greece), Joane Gadou (Borussia Dortmund, France), Franco Mastantuono (Fiorentina, Argentina), Rodrigo Mora (Roma, Portugal), Xavi Espart (Barcelona, Spain)