SSC Napoli v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8
Estevao missed Chelsea’s win over West Ham while on compassionate leave (Picture: Getty)
Liam Rosenior admits Estevao’s participation in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal is still in a measure of doubt.
The Brazil international missed Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over West Ham while he was back in Brazil on compassionate leave.
Estevao has featured prominently during the early weeks of Rosenior’s tenure and helped the Blues win six of their seven games under their new manager.
The one blemish on Rosenior’s record so far came in the shape of a 3-2 first leg defeat against the Gunners at Stamford Bridge.
Two goals from Alejandro Garnacho did, at least, give Chelsea a chance of qualifying for the final where they will meet either Manchester City or Newcastle.
Estevao’s presence would undoubtedly give the underdogs a major lift but, speaking at his pre-match press conference, Rosenior revealed a final decision on the 18-year-old’s participation has yet to be made.
‘He is going through a really difficult time for personal reasons,’ said Rosenior.
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Chelsea v West Ham United - Premier League
Jamie Gittens will miss the second leg against Arsenal(Picture: Getty)
‘I won’t put any pressure on him. It has to be right for him.’
Rosenior is also set to be without Jamie Gittens who went off during the first half of Saturday’s win over West Ham with a suspected hamstring injury, although the extent is yet to be determined.
The winger was one of four players taken off prior to the start of the second half as the manager rowed back on his decision to make seven changes to his starting line-up.
Chelsea were awful in the first period and trailed 2-0 before regular starters came off the bench to seal a 3-2 win, with the former Strasbourg and Hull boss refusing to blame his second string for a lacklustre showing.
Chelsea v Arsenal - Carabao Cup Semi Final First Leg
Alejandro Garnacho’s two goals have kept Chelsea in the tie (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t have a best XI,’ he said. ‘I never have done at all in all of the clubs I’ve worked with. The physical demands of the Premier League or Ligue 1 or the Championship now, you need a squad. You need to use the players in the correct way to challenge over the course of the season.
‘I’ve been in for three-and-a-half weeks, I’m just getting to know the players. I don’t have a best XI in my mind. I try and pick the right starting team but I also try and pick a bench that will give us the right finishing team as well.
‘So far, the substitutes in every game we’ve played have made a huge impact. It’s not down to my tactical stuff. It’s down to their mentality to come on and help the team.’
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