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Estevao issues Xabi Alonso verdict amid Chelsea playing time concerns
Sep 22 2026 12:50 · By onefootball.com · 5 Reads
Brazilian wonderkid is yet to start a Premier League match this season
Estevao has given his honest reaction to his lack of game time for Chelsea this season.
The 19-year-old showed flashes of brilliance last season in his first campaign at Chelsea, netting a dramatic late winner against Liverpool and scoring a magnificent goal in the 3-0 Champions League win over Barcelona.
But he has started none of Chelsea’s first five games of the new Premier League season under Xabi Alonso and was substituted at half-time in the Carabao Cup against Leeds United with Chelsea trailing after Alonso had made a number of changes to his starting lineup.
Estevao missed the World Cup due to injury but is with Brazil ahead of friendlies against Australia (twice) and India, and spoke at a press conference in Brisbane.
“I think every coach has their own way of playing,” the teenager said. “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.”
Estevao added: “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.”
Alonso was asked earlier this month about Estevao’s future and confirmed the Brazilian is in his plans despite his reduced game time as compared with last season under Enzo Maresca and then Liam Rosenior.
“Este is ready, he's training well,” Alonso said on September 8.
“He's fully involved and with a very good attitude every day.”
Alonso added: “Este [can] 100 per cent [have a big impact], because of his potential, because he is so young. But he is in that process to adapt and to learn quickly. And the season is going to be long.”
Alonso effectively admitted he and Estevao have spoken about the Brazilian’s status under his management, but said: “Private conversations should remain private.
“The players that have the desire and the hunger to prove and to show every day that they are up for the challenge, it is what we want to create here in the building.
“And Este is part of it. So he has had a very good attitude, a very good mentality to prepare every game and to be ready for the team.”