The 2026/27 season is now into its fourth month, and Estevao has yet to start a Premier League match for Chelsea.

The 19-year-old Brazilian is now in his second full season with the Blues and played a fairly consistent role under three different head coaches last campaign, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances, 20 of which were starts.

He has struggled for playing time since the summer appointment of Xabi Alonso, though. Fans were optimistic about his potential influence when photos emerged in pre-season of the pair sharing a joking conversation, but it appears the Basque is unimpressed by his footballing abilities.

Of Chelsea’s 11 matches this campaign, Estevao has been involved in just eight and started twice, both times in the Carabao Cup. He has impressed in his substitute cameos and all the while has been a mainstay for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

He was again called up by the Selecao on Thursday, less than 24 hours after his omission from the Chelsea team to face Liverpool on Wednesday night left fans concerned.

First impressions: Estevao and Xabi Alonso appeared to hit it off in the summer but the Brazilian has found playing time hard to come by since

Getty

Even more worrying is the speed with which he appears to have tumbled down the pecking order.

With his countryman Joao Pedro injured ahead of the derby clash with Tottenham, Premier League debutant Geovany Quenda pipped him to a place in the starting lineup. And as Chelsea chased a late winner at Anfield, another debutant in Emmanuel Emegha was sent on while Estevao sat on the bench.

Alonso has given little away when asked to explain his hesitance to use Estevao, which is becoming a prominent talking point as the Blues’ results take a dip.

His excuse against Liverpool was that he had been forced to use up three substitutions replacing Moises Caicedo, Malo Gusto and Maxence Lacroix, who had issues of varying severity.

Alonso has, however, suggested that he thinks Estevao lacks the physicality to compete in the upper reaches of English football, and that he is still feeling the effects of a serious hamstring injury suffered in the spring: “Yes, we know that the Premier League and the game in England is really intense.

“You need to be up for it. Este has played, for sure, it's his second season. But he had the injury and he's in that process.”

Estevao has impressed in glimpses off the bench

Getty

Speaking in early September, Alonso also revealed he had held talks with Estevao regarding his lack of minutes.

Chelsea’s elimination from the Carabao Cup will likely further reduce Estevao’s opportunities. The fine early-season form of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto likely contributed to his limited minutes, but injury and suspension has shaken up the established attacking order.

The club continues to tout Estevao as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe and recently released a glitzy documentary about him, but reports have emerged suggesting he is starting to grow frustrated with his situation. He has been linked with a loan exit in January, but Alonso insists he will not let that happen and that opportunities to impress will come.

“Yeah, sure, he will play,” the Spaniard said. “The season is long and there will be moments for everyone.

“It's a process for the team, for Este, for myself, but I'm sure that in the season he will have his games, his minutes. And we are still early in the season, but he will be there.

“Yeah, it's not about attitude. It's been about the context of games, it's been about the start of the season, and he's a great guy. He really wants his adaptation after the first year of injury, but we are still in October and he will be important.”

It remains to be seen whether Alonso will deliver on that promise.