Estevao Willian’s Chelsea career has regressed after such a promising start to his first few months in England. The Brazilian wonderkid scored a late winner against Liverpool and a stunning Champions League goal against Barcelona last autumn before missing most of the second half of the season with hamstring injuries.

Estevao also missed this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, where he would have fought for a starting place in Carlo Ancelotti’s team. The only upside was that he would return to Chelsea fresh and ready for an important season under Xabi Alonso, but that, too, has not gone to plan.

The 19-year-old has rarely featured under the new manager, and speculation has arisen that he is growing frustrated at the West London club. Former Tottenham star Sandro, who made 17 appearances for the Brazilian national team, has now revealed his biggest concern about Estevao’s Chelsea career.

Pedro Neto has been hailed as an 'unsung hero' for Chelsea. Who else in Xabi Alonso's team is UNDERRATED?!

Why Sandro is worried about Estevao Willian at Chelsea

Sandro recently appeared on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football to analyse Tottenham’s clash with Frank Lampard’s Coventry City. Sandro was also asked to name a starting lineup of the greatest Brazilians in Premier League history, including former Chelsea stars Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Willian.

Sandro excluded Estevao Willian from his XI because he has not achieved enough in the Premier League since joining last year. The former Spurs midfielder also admitted that he is concerned about Estevao after his hamstring injuries.

“Estevao has a great career in front of him. It’s just the injuries. I’m worried about the injuries,” Sandro said. His concerns are understandable, as hamstring injuries can recur, with players often suffering similar problems throughout their careers. Chelsea captain Reece James and former Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen are two examples.

Estevao’s injury history may be the reason Xabi Alonso has limited his game time in the 2026/27 season. It would be a huge shame to see the youngster suffer another significant muscle injury and derail his career.

However, the more likely reason is that Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers have been electric so far this season. Meanwhile, Estevao is not suited to playing as a hybrid winger/wing-back like Pedro Neto, who has excelled recently. But with a long season ahead, the wonderkid is almost guaranteed more opportunities to impress when the Blues’ top players are inevitably rested or injured.

Speaking of Pedro, Sandro admitted he has been impressed by the Chelsea goalscorer and could easily have picked him ahead of Gabriel Jesus as the number nine in his Brazilian Premier League XI. He explained: “Joao Pedro could be on this list as well, easily. I don’t know why I didn’t pick Joao Pedro.”