A week is a long time in football. For Estevao, things will seem very different compared to a week ago. The Chelsea winger was finally awarded his first Premier League start of the season on Saturday.

Estevao thrived. Even earning praise from Neymar, Estevao was unlucky not to have his name on the score sheet as Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 win after an even first half, largely thanks to Lisandro Martinez.

His second yellow card, coming moments after his first and a few minutes after Morgan Rogers’ opener, handed Chelsea a penalty and, practically, all three points. Estevao was inches away from scoring a third.

Now, reports in Spain claim Estevao is set to be offered a new contract, which includes a ‘significant pay rise’. Any chance of a potential exit in January is completely off the cards, with Estevao now set to stay.

New Estevao deal is forthcoming, and Chelsea fans are delighted

For the first time on Saturday, it felt like Chelsea fans were being heard. They have wanted Estevao to start more games for a while now. Even Joe Cole’s son told Alonso to start Estevao before the 2-0 win.

Estevao gave Alonso a big hug when he was substituted off. Things seem as good as ever all of a sudden, just days after fans were fuming he was left on the bench at Anfield and Jamie O’Hara urged him to go.

One fan posted: “Chelsea wanting Estevao as the face of the side is very Hazard 2012 coded. Get the pen out, lads, before he gets bored of us,” while another commented: “Chelsea should move so quickly.”

“Good, he’s a generational talent”, “Estevao is the best money can buy”, and “Enormous potential, should be played more” were more comments from Chelsea fans after being informed a new deal is in the offing.

Estevao deserves a new deal, but he’s not the only one

Going into the summer, before Chelsea had made any new signings under Xabi Alonso – aside from the pre-arranged deals for Valentin Barco, Emmanuel Emegha and others – there were seven untouchables.

Cole Palmer has signed a new contract. Joao Pedro, too. Reece James and Moises Caicedo have signed new deals in 2026. Estevao sounds like he is about to, while reports say Josh Acheampong could sign too.

But Levi Colwill remains without a new deal. He has a contract until 2029, with the option of an extra year. There is no rush, but if Chelsea are tying down their untouchables, Colwill and Acheampong are next.