Estevao Willian has been urged to go out on loan and get 'consistent game time'. The 19-year-old winger, whom Chelsea signed from Palmeiras for £29m in May 2024, has struggled to force himself into Xabi Alonso's side, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers preferred alongside Joao Pedro in the frontline.

Although Estevao has already managed to feature seven times for the Blues this season, just two of them have been starts and both of which were in the Carabao Cup, where his most recent outing – against Leeds United in the third round – ended abruptly at the break following a disappointing first-half performance.

The Brazil international has generally shown glimpses of promise when brought off the bench, but he fell a little short of expectations when presented with his first genuine test: breaking down Daniel Farke's side. Estevao was one of four changes at half-time that evening, and Chelsea went on to come from behind to win the tie 6-3.

He has played no more than a quarter of an hour for the Blues since, and was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday afternoon. All in all, Estevao has clocked just 154 minutes of action, raising questions about his role in the squad.

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During an interview with Andy's Bet Club, Scott Sinclair urged the teenager to go out on loan and get 'consistent game time'. The former Chelsea forward said: "As a young player, all you want to do is play football.

"In my experience, having been on loan six times during my spell at Chelsea, you just want to be playing for your parent club. But when you aren't, you have to go out on loan to gain experience and game time.

"The longer you go without playing, the less match-fit you become, which makes it even harder to get into the side when an opportunity arises and that leads to doubt."

Sinclair added: "Only Estevao can decide what is best for him, but because he is so young, getting consistent game time is essential and having been in the same position, I’d say he should go and play."

Despite a slow start to life under Alonso, Estevao remains focused on helping Chelsea win silverware. Speaking to ESPN in Brisbane, Australia, at the start of the last international break, he said: "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. I try to seize every opportunity I have, I try to control everything I can, and I leave it in God's hands, and I trust myself a lot, too."

At the start of September, Alonso promised that he's '100 per cent' relying on Estevao. The Chelsea manager told reporters: "I count on Este 100 per cent, because of his potential and the fact that he’s so young, he is in that process of adapting and learning quickly.

"The season is going to be long, and players that have the desire and hunger to prove and show every day they are up for the challenge is what we want – and what we want to create here in the building.

"Este is part of it. He has a very good attitude and mentality to prepare for every game and be ready for the team."

football.london understands that Chelsea higher-ups continue to view Estevao as one of several 'untouchables' in the squad and is not for sale, despite rumoured interest from Barcelona.