Brazil’s international fixtures this month take place in Australia and India, meaning Estevao faces a long journey. Even so, the Chelsea winger may welcome the trip, knowing he could be given more playing time for his country than he has received at club level this season.
Under Xabi Alonso, Estevao has played just 23 minutes in the Premier League for Chelsea — a total that excludes stoppage time.
Across Chelsea’s five league matches, his involvement has followed a familiar pattern: an 83rd-minute introduction, one unused-substitute appearance, an 81st-minute cameo, an 86th-minute arrival and an 87th-minute appearance with Chelsea already two goals behind Brentford.
The lack of opportunities has prompted speculation in Brazil that Estevao is becoming frustrated, a reaction that would be understandable. Reports have even suggested the 19-year-old is weighing up his future at Stamford Bridge, although there would be plenty of interest in him if he became available. Chelsea, for their part, continue to maintain that he is central to their long-term plans.
People close to the player have rejected suggestions that he has become disillusioned, telling Daily Mail Sport that the season remains long and that there is confidence he will receive fair opportunities to prove himself.
There is, however, surprise among others at how little chance Estevao has been given to build momentum under Alonso. One source in Brazil offered a blunt assessment: ‘Xabi appears not to love him.’
New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has given Estevao just 23 minutes of Premier League action so far this season
Reports from Brazil have suggested Estevao is considering his Chelsea future, with plenty of clubs likely to show interest in the 19-year-old
Speaking from Brazil duty this week, Estevao offered a measured response. ‘We have quality players at Chelsea, so what I do is focus on what I can control,’ he said. ‘I try to give my best in training. When I get an opportunity, I try to give my best. It goes day after day.’
The teenager has returned from the hamstring tear he suffered in April, an injury that ended his previous season early and extinguished his hopes of making the World Cup. It was a particularly difficult setback.
His prospects of establishing a run in the Chelsea side have also been affected by Cole Palmer and new arrival Morgan Rogers, who have combined with Joao Pedro to form a formidable attacking trio. Pedro Neto has impressed in the right wing-back role within Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system, another position in which Estevao could eventually be asked to contribute.
At Arsenal, Estevao came close to rescuing a point after entering with Chelsea 2-1 down, only for David Raya to produce an outstanding save to deny his late effort.
That performance earned him a start in the Carabao Cup against Leeds several days later. He struggled to make an impact, though, and was substituted at half-time along with three teammates as Chelsea overturned a 1-0 deficit to win 6-3.
With Chelsea absent from European competition, cup performances are particularly important for Estevao if he is to force his way into more Premier League action. He is not the only wide player facing that challenge, either. Several of Chelsea’s wingers appear to be asking the same question about their prospects under Alonso.
Jamie Gittens, signed from Borussia Dortmund for £52million in 2025, has been left on the bench for every one of Chelsea’s five Premier League matches. Like Estevao, he started the Carabao Cup tie against Leeds, and like him, he was taken off at the interval.
Roma explored a move for Gittens during the summer, but Chelsea made clear that he was not available because he remained an important part of their plans. So far, there has been little on-field evidence to support that claim.
Morgan Rogers’ arrival has contributed to Estevao’s limited minutes, with Rogers joining Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer in a formidable Chelsea front three
The international break gives Estevao, who missed the World Cup because of injury, a chance to push for more opportunities when he returns to Chelsea
Geovany Quenda, a £44million summer signing from Sporting, has also struggled for game time. He has yet to start a match in any competition this season and has made only two substitute appearances.
Once Chelsea’s injured players return, some of those wide options could find themselves out of Alonso’s match-day squad altogether. Joao Pedro, Moises Caicedo, Reece James and Marco Palestra all missed the recent trip to Brentford.
They would then risk falling out of sight and out of mind, much like Emmanuel Emegha and Aaron Anselmino, both of whom have only made one matchday squad all season, each acting as unused substitutes in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town. Anselmino was missing when the Chelsea squad posed for their picture, released last week.
Yet Estevao has attracted more attention than most because his potential is so obvious. Signed for a total package worth £51m from Brazilian club Palmeiras on a pre-agreement for when he turned 18, he showed his worth at times in Enzo Maresca’s 4-2-3-1.
Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 is leaving little room for his inclusion, but this international break could be good for him, as a way to try to take the opportunities that Carlo Ancelotti will allow him.
