Estevao Willian suffered a hamstring injury in April 2026 and subsequently missed the chance to represent Brazil at the World Cup, so Xabi Alonso has been keen to carefully manage his workload.
Estevao Willian Almeida de Oliveira Goncalves of Brazil looks on during the International Friendly match between Australia Socceroos and Brazil at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on September 25, 2026 in Townsville, Australia
Estevao Willian on international duty with Brazil. (Image: Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
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Chelsea have been encouraged to sell Estevao Willian. The 19-year-old winger has recently been linked with a move to Barcelona after failing to force his way into Xabi Alonso's starting lineup, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers enjoying excellent veins of form.
According to the Spanish outlet SPORT, a 'cold war has erupted' between Estevao and the Blues boss over concerns about game time at Stamford Bridge. The report claims that the Brazilian views the future 'pessimistically' and doesn't believe he will get the minutes he wants.
It's also said that Estevao has been 'unwilling to continue gaining muscle mass', as he did towards the end of last term, due to fears it'll impact his ability. So far this season, the teenager, whom Chelsea agreed to sign from Palmeiras for £29m in May 2024, has featured six times but has played fewer than 150 minutes.
Four of his appearances have come from off the bench in the Premier League, tallying a combined 23 minutes. The other two were in the Carabao Cup, when the Blues faced Luton Town and Leeds United in the second and third rounds, respectively.
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Estevao showed flashes of promise, but when tasked with spearheading the frontline against Daniel Farke's side, he fell short of expectations. Alonso hooked the winger at half-time, and Chelsea came from behind to reach the next stage of the competition.
Despite a slow start to life under his new manager, Estevao managed to earn a place in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the international break. Frank Leboeuf reckons the Blues should allow the youngster to leave in pursuit of more game time, describing his potential departure as a 'sacrifice'.
"I think Estevao might have to leave Chelsea, and it’s a shame because he is a pure talent," said the former Blues defender in an interview with MyGamble, as quoted by the Metro.
"But Xabi Alonso proved at Leverkusen that his system works by going undefeated and winning the Bundesliga. Why change it? He joined Chelsea when Estevao was already there, but he didn’t specifically choose him. Estevao might be sacrificed.
"It might be time to sell him. If you’re not going to use him, sell him, because he deserves to play and could be well-utilised by other teams. He has great talent. If Xabi Alonso doesn’t need him, why keep him instead of letting him move elsewhere?"
Despite question marks over his future in west London, Estevao has recently insisted that he remains focused on Chelsea. Speaking to reporters in Brisbane, Australia, as quoted by ESPN, he said: "I think every coach has their own way of playing.
"Of course, we work every day, I give my best every day, and that's what I do. We have quality players at Chelsea, so what I do is focus on what I can control.
"I try to give my best in training. When I get an opportunity, I try to give my best; it goes day after day. I try to seize every opportunity I have, I try to control everything I can, and I leave it in God's hands, and I trust myself a lot, too."
At the start of September, Alonso claimed that he's '100 per cent' relying on Estevao this season, squashing any speculation of a move away in January. The Spaniard told reporters: "I count on Este 100 per cent, because of his potential and the fact that he’s so young, he is in that process of adapting and learning quickly.
"The season is going to be long, and players that have the desire and hunger to prove and show every day they are up for the challenge is what we want – and what we want to create here in the building.
"Este is part of it. He has a very good attitude and mentality to prepare for every game and be ready for the team."