Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has said Estevao Willian may have to leave Stamford Bridge, and that it would be a shame if that were the case. The Frenchman believes the Brazilian winger’s prodigious ability deserves regular football, even if that means a sale.
Leboeuf’s words come amid reports that Barcelona are monitoring the 19-year-old’s situation in West London. In the first five Premier League games under new head coach Xabi Alonso, Estevao has featured for just 23 of a possible 450 minutes.
The former Chelsea defender said:
“I think Estevao might have to leave Chelsea and it’s a shame because he is a pure talent. 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.”
The 1998 World Cup winner later reiterated his assessment, adding:
“If you’re not going to use him, sell him, because he deserves to play and could be well-utilized by other teams. He has great talent. If Xabi Alonso doesn’t need him, why keep him instead of letting him move elsewhere?”
In attack, Xabi Alonso has favoured Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers. However, Alonso has publicly dismissed suggestions of discontent, insisting the teenager remains a key part of his plans. Chelsea sources have also insisted the winger, contracted until June 2033, is not for sale.
Estevao insists he is focused on Chelsea despite lack of game time
Estevao, meanwhile, has taken a notably measured tone as speculation over his future grows. The teenager has had reduced minutes at club level but was still included in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad and started for Brazil against Australia.
Estevao said to reporters in Brisbane:
“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.”
His comments make it feel like a player trying to win the trust of Alonso, not agitate for an exit. But the minutes he picks up between now and December could ultimately be the difference between the speculation dying down or ramping up ahead of January.