'Not Yamal vs Cucurella' - Chelsea full-back on Barca match-up

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella says it is "always difficult" to play against "special talents" like team-mate Estevao Willian and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

The two young stars could face each other on Tuesday when the Blues host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.

It is likely Spain full-back Cucurella will be in direct opposition to compatriot Yamal on Tuesday evening with the 18-year-old boasting four goals and three assists in his past four appearances for Barcelona.

Asked whether training with Estevao could help his preparation to take on Yamal, Cucurella joked: "I tell [Estevao] to put shin pads on in training because I start the training with him."

He added: "But no, it's difficult. These kind of players are always difficult to play against because they have a special talent, a lot of quality.

"Tomorrow I think is not Yamal vs Cucurella - it's a big game.

"My team-mates will try to help me and we need to have a big game because we want to win. It's a tough battle, but hopefully we can do our best and win the match."

Despite having his playing time managed by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, summer arrival Estevao has lit up the field when brought on, most notably scoring a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool in the Premier League.

He may be new to English football but Estevao already has five goals in just 11 appearances for his national side Brazil and is drawing comparisons with Ballon d'Or runner-up Yamal.

"I think both of them are really very special players," Cucurella said. "They have a lot of talent. They always want the ball. They always try to do one on ones. They are players [that] can decide games.

"I think the only difference at the moment is Lamine has been playing in Europe for two or three seasons and Estevao is arriving this season - but he [Estevao] is doing really well.

"If he continues in this way, at this level and improving in all aspects, he can arrive to the Lamine Yamal level."