Estevao's game time is set to be reduced this season with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer starring in the attacking midfield roles for Xabi Alonso so far
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer(Image: Getty Images)
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Estevao is reportedly concerned about his future at Chelsea. The Brazilian, 19, who joined the Blues in a £29million deal from Palmeiras last summer, made 38 appearances during his first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
But Estevao's game time is set to be reduced this campaign following Xabi Alonso's appointment as the club's first-team manager.
Alonso has started with a three-at-the-back formation in each of his first two Premier League matches with two defensive-minded midfielders, two attacking midfielders and one centre forward.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who signed for the Blues in a club record £117million deal earlier this summer, have operated in the No.10 roles with Joao Pedro up front.
It has left Estevao reduced to a substitute role with him coming on for the final seven minutes at Fulham before remaining unused against Brighton last Sunday.
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He could compete with Pedro Neto, who has been deployed as a right-wing back in Alonso's system, but Estevao wouldn't like that. He is more comfortable being used in the central attacking midfield role.
All this is being weighed up and could impact his future with Estevao 'worried' about his situation at Chelsea, according to ESPN.
He has supposedly made it clear to those close to him that he likes the club and wants to stay, but if he has limited opportunities in the first half of the season, it's possible he might consider a change of attitude for the January transfer window.
Estevao's seven minutes in the Premier League were added to by 80 he had in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town last month. He started on the right-hand side in a 3-0 win for the Blues.
Although Estevao has become frustrated with his role, former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva recently admitted he has spoken to the forward to reassure him that he will get opportunities IF he is patient.
Estevao Willian
Estevao Willian could face a difficult challenge in getting Premier League minutes for Chelsea this season(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto)
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Silva said: "I spoke with Estevao recently. I told him, 'Don't panic because you’ve sat on the bench for a few games. You’re 19 years old at Chelsea, not 29 and running out of time.'
"He wants to play centrally. I understand that because when you watch him with the ball, you understand why. But then I told him, 'Look at who is playing there. Palmer is there, Rogers can play there. Are you asking the coach to remove them because you’re talented?'
"At Palmeiras, everybody already knew who Estevao was. At Chelsea, he has to make them know again.
"He told me he doesn’t want to change his game or become bigger just because people say the Premier League is physical. I said, 'Good. Don’t wake up tomorrow trying to become Adama Traore.'
"That’s not why Chelsea bought him. They bought the boy who receives the ball and wants to dribble past somebody. Keep that. But also understand Xabi has to win football matches. The best young players sometimes think the manager has to find a place for them. No. Make it impossible for him not to."
Chelsea are back in action when they travel to Arsenal on Sunday. They then host Leeds United in the Carabao Cup three days later, a game where Estevao is expected to start for Alonso's men.