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One of Chelsea’s biggest talents is reportedly growing frustrated at life under Xabi Alonso after being ‘shocked’ by his lack of first-team football this season.
Article continues under the videoChelsea have had a mixed start to Alonso’s tenure this season and have been touted as title challengers, however a lacklustre home loss to Tottenham on Saturday proved there is still much to work on.
Yet, despite only two wins in the last six Premier League games, Chelsea are the third-highest scorers this season and Alonso has resisted the temptation tinker with his attack too much, which has seen Estevao left out in the cold.
The 19-year-old had a bright debut campaign at Stamford Bridge last season, playing 24 league matches, but he has played just 47 minutes this season, prompting TEAMtalk to claim that Estevao is now ‘increasingly concerned’ over his lack of involvement.
Alonso raised eyebrows by handing €51 million summer arrival Geovany Quenda his first start in the Tottenham match, only bringing on Estevao for the 19-year-old in the 72nd minute.
While Estevao ‘firmly believes’ he should be plaing more, the teenager is said to be Estevao focused on regaining his place in Chelsea’s team but, if his game time has not improved by the turn of the year, the winger could reassess his future at the club ahead of the January transfer window.
Estevao joined Chelsea last summer for €45m and scored eight goals in all competitions in his first year, while also establishing himself as a regular in Brazil’s national team.
Chelsea have insisted that Estevao remains an integral part of their plans, both this season and in the long-term, but many teams are believed to be monitoring his situation, including the likes of Barcelona.
The Blues are keen to tie Estevao down to a new contract to appease his concerns, even with his current deal still having seven years on it, but the player is more concerned over his first-team credentials, while Chelsea could also demand close to his €110.9m Expected Transfer Value (ETV), making his departure difficult.
The forward has been perhaps unfortunate with the form of Pedro Neto, who has scored three goals this season from the right flank, where Estevao prefers to play.
Alonso, for his part, has insisted that Estevao will get his opportunity to impress and claimed the youngster’s lack of game time has been, in part, due to a fitness issue over the summer.
Estevao will seemingly be patient for now and should get an opportunity for some much-needed minutes in Chelsea’s next match on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup against Liverpool.