Chelsea’s 19‑year‑old Brazilian forward, João Estevão, has found himself on the periphery of Xabi Alonso’s squad, a stark contrast to the excitement that surrounded his arrival from Palmeiras last summer. After scoring a dramatic winner against Liverpool in October, the teenager has managed only two starts in all competitions this season and has been left out of the starting XI in every Premier League match since Alonso took charge in the summer. His total minutes on the pitch have fallen to just 172, the bulk of which came in early EFL Cup fixtures against Luton Town and Leeds United.
The most recent example of Estevão’s marginalisation came in the Carabao Cup semi‑final at Anfield, where Chelsea were eliminated by Liverpool on penalties. The Blues had taken an early lead through Morgan Rogers, but a quick equaliser from Cody Gakpo forced Alonso to make a triple substitution in the second half. One of the changes was Emanuel Emegha, who had yet to feature for the club, and shortly after the third change, Estevão was seen leaving the warm‑up area to return to the bench. He was not involved in the match at all, a pattern that has repeated itself in recent games.
Alonso has defended the decision not to play the Brazilian, citing the physical demands of English football and the need to manage the squad’s fitness over a long season. “We started with Pedro Neto, Morgan Rogers and Danny Welbeck, and the game had very intense moments,” he said. “We knew it was going to be physical, and Malo had cramps, so we were a bit forced with substitutions. The season is going to be very long, and there will be moments for everyone.” When asked directly about Estevão, Alonso added that the forward “could be happier” and that he would eventually get his chance, but that the current intensity of the league requires players to be ready for the challenge.
A key factor in Estevão’s limited opportunities is the form of Pedro Neto, who has become a mainstay on the right wing‑back in Alonso’s 3‑4‑2‑1 system. Neto’s performances have earned him a new six‑year contract and seven starts in eight Premier League games, leaving few chances for a player who also favours the right flank. Former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff noted that Alonso’s preference for Neto in a hybrid wing‑back role may not suit Estevão’s style, a sentiment echoed by former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison, who questioned why the Brazilian was not given a chance despite injuries to other forwards.
Despite a solid attack featuring Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who has impressed since his £117 million move from Aston Villa, Estevão has yet to make a significant impact. His only starts have come in the 6‑3 win over Norwich and the earlier EFL Cup matches, and he was substituted at half‑time in the 6‑3 victory, leaving him with a limited showcase of his abilities. As the season progresses, the Brazilian will be hoping to emulate Neto’s resurgence and secure a more prominent role in Chelsea’s attacking options.