Chelsea pair nominated for Golden Boy award for 2026

Chelsea have two young players nominated for the Golden Boy award for 2026, a great honour for them and for the club.

Two Chelsea youngsters have been nominated for the Golden Boy award for 2026.

Both defender Jorrel Hato and winger Estevao Willian are named on the shortlist of 20 players who could win the award for 2026.

Estevao and Hato nominated among world’s best young players

Estevao showed his incredible talent in flashes last season, and was just starting to establish himself as a regular when he was struck down by a bad hamstring injury in March. So far this season he’s not been able to establish himself as a starter under Xabi Alonso.

There are already rumours he’s unhappy about a lack of minutes, although he continues to play regularly for Brazil.

As for Hato, after a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge he became more of a regular in the second half of last season. It does still feel like he’s getting this nomination more for his time at Ajax than his year at Chelsea, where there is still some uncertainty about his ceiling.

We’re delighted for both of them, and we hope one of them goes on to win it – although given the names on that list, it looks like a long shot.

In other news…

Chelsea should get a lot of players back for this weekend’s Bournemouth game, and midfielder Romeo Lavia should be fit to start the game.

Reece James has been backed to develop into his role as captain by a former Chelsea head boy.