AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez has claimed in an official interview with the club that Rafael Leao is a real talent.
The Serie A champions booked their place in the quarter-finals of the competition after a 0-0 draw at Tottenham last night.
They joined Chelsea in the next round of the Champions League after the Blues pulled off a comeback victory over Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Their London rivals, who found comfortable success over the Blues just weeks ago, were unable to replicate their fortunes in Europe last night.
The Milan side they played have already faced Chelsea this season. The Blues picked up two wins over the side in the group stages when the games began to get important.
Leao was featuring for the visitors last night, with him occupying his dangerous position on the left.
His devastating impact was only muted against the Blues because of the brilliance of full-back Reece James.
Leao praised for performance
Up against the likes of Emerson Royal however, the Portugal international found it a lot easier to thrive.
He received praise from his teammate, Hernandez, who was playing behind him as a devastating duo on the left.
He said: “Rafa is an incredible footballer. The gaffer told us to express ourselves and that’s what we did.
“Rafa and I play well together and I’m happy to play with him.”
Chelsea have held a long-term interest in signing the winger, especially since Todd Boehly took over as owner of the club.
Talk about his future has taken quite a while at the San Siro, and he is so far yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.
The signing may be unlikely to come in the next transfer window, after the Blues spent big money on the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk in January.