João Estevão's future at Chelsea is still uncertain, but manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear that the Brazilian is not destined to leave the winter squad. Following his €45 million signing from Palmeiras, the attacking winger began the 2026/27 season with a period of good performances, but his presence on the pitch has drastically decreased under Alonso's new management.
In 2025-26 Estevão played 36 games, scoring 8 goals and providing 4 assists in 1,676 minutes. With the arrival of Alonso, his role was reduced to 8 appearances and 172 minutes in total, with an average of just over 21 minutes per game. That drop has fueled speculation about a possible transfer, with some reports even mentioning interest from Barcelona.
To allay fears, Alonso said it was "normal" for players to want to stay on the pitch and that if they don't get enough minutes, the responsibility falls on the manager. He stressed the importance of involving young people and guaranteed that Estevão “will have his moment”. The coach explained that the season is long and that each player will have their own games and minutes, highlighting the need for open communication and continuous dialogue with the players.
Furthermore, Alonso definitively closed the discussion on a possible winter transfer, stating: "There is no discussion on this." Chelsea, therefore, seems to want to keep Estevão within the group, even if his participation remains limited for now.
With the season still ongoing, Estevão's outlook is to continue working to earn more minutes and prove his worth. The London club, although it has not yet made a final decision, seems willing to give the young Brazilian the opportunity to grow under Alonso's supervision. Estevão's future will therefore depend on his performances and ability to adapt to Chelsea's new style of play.