“Chelsea” head coach Xabi Alonso gave a message about one of his young talents
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has been told Esteavo has the ability to be “the best player in the Premier League”. The message comes via Willian, who played for the Blues between 2013 and 2020.
The 19-year-old winger, who joined Chelsea in the summer of 2025, is yet to start a Premier League game this season but has made four appearances off the bench. His lack of game time has partly led to him being linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer with Barcelona and Real Madrid rumored to be interested.
Despite reports that he will be moving in the summer, football.london understands the winger is still intact and he is seen as a big part of the long-term project at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian made 12 Premier League appearances last season and scored eight goals in all competitions under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
This included a dramatic late winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and a goal in the Champions League win over Barcelona. This season, Alonso has opted to feature Joao Pedro up front with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers either side, leaving little space for Estevao, although his cameos suggest he is not being frozen out.
Willian, who won two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, believes his young compatriot has what it takes to become a true great.
Speaking on former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel’s show, the Obi One podcast, Willian waxed lyrical about Estevao. He said: “He’s a great player. They’re excited [in Brazil]. He’s on top, he’s on top.
“I think in two years, maybe, I don’t know, he’s going to be one of the best players in the league, I think. I think it’s because of his quality. You can see his quality right away.”
The youngster had made waves in South America for Palmeiras and a number of Europe’s biggest clubs were thought to be chasing his services until Chelsea won the competition.
However, Blues icon Frank Leboeuf believes Esteavo could leave Chelsea due to a lack of game time. “I think Estevao might have to leave Chelsea and it’s a shame because he’s a pure talent,” My Gamble said.
“But Xabi Alonso proved at Leverkusen that his system works by going unbeaten and winning the Bundesliga. Why change that?
“He joined Chelsea when Estevao was already there, but he didn’t choose him specifically. Estevao might be a victim. It might be time to sell him.
“If you’re not going to use him, sell him because he deserves to play and can be used well by other teams. He has great talent. If Xabi Alonso doesn’t need him, why keep him instead of moving him?”
Sources at Stamford Bridge claim the youngster will play a “big role” this season. Alonso also claimed that Estevao is part of his plans, although the player’s age suggests he still has a lot to learn.
He said earlier this month: “Este is ready, training well. [Against Arsenal] it has a very good effect, it has a great chance. So he is fully involved every day and has a very good attitude.
“100% [he has an important role]to his potential because he’s so young, but he’s in the process of adapting and learning quickly. And the season will be long.”
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