**Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso rates Estevao “highly” and wants to keep the winger at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.**
Responding to speculation about the Brazilian’s future on his [Substack](https://sptc.news/p/sources-estevao-naturally-concerned), journalist Simon Phillips said that Alonso and everyone in Chelsea’s hierarchy are big fans of the player and they have no intention of sanctioning his departure.
Estevao has had limited minutes since the start of the season, and it has prompted La Liga giants Barcelona to begin monitoring his situation.
The Catalan club are aware of Chelsea’s current stance, but they are said to be keen on recruiting the forward if he becomes available in the future.
Why would Estevao want to go to Barca?
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Even if the 19-year-old were unsettled at Stamford Bridge (which isn’t currently the case), there would be plenty of better destinations than the Camp Nou.
While Barcelona is a massive club and Estevao could be tempted by such a move, he would be in direct competition with Lamine Yamal for starts. _**Both are left-footed right wingers**_.
If the teenager were worried about his career stalling in England due to a lack of minutes, he would likely have even more problems getting game time in Spain.
Can he find a role under Alonso at Chelsea?
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The main problem for Estevao is the manager’s preferred system. The 3-4-3 formation doesn’t leave room for a winger like the Brazilian international.
Estevao has been used as a no.10 before, so there is a case for him taking [**Cole Palmer**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-injury-news-cole-palmer-hasselbaink/)‘s place if the 24-year-old doesn’t return from injury directly after the international break.
It would then be up to the winger to stake his claim if he gets that opportunity. On his last start against Leeds in the Carabao Cup, he struggled, and he will have to play with more consistency if he wants to establish himself as a regular starter in Alonso’s team.