Estevao has been a big hit since joining Chelsea

Chelsea’s investment in young talent is bearing fruit, with the club now boasting three of the 11 most valuable teenage footballers in the world, according to a new academic study.

Barcelona and Spain superstar Lamine Yamal , 18, is streets ahead at the top of the list compiled by the CIES Football Observatory, with a valuation of €349.6m (£307.9m).

But Chelsea’s Brazilian winger Estevao Willian, 18, is second in the ranking, valued at €118.1m (£104m), following his impressive start to his career at the Blues.

Also in the top 10 is Portuguese youngster Geovany Quenda, 18, who is contracted to join Chelsea from Sporting Lisbon at the end of the season in a deal struck earlier this year.

Quenda is valued at €80.2m (£70.6m), while Dutch

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