Chelsea have only played three matches under Xabi Alonso, but Estêvão is already concerned about the role he will have under the new manager.
The Brazilian has told people close to him that he fears his opportunities will be limited. That could eventually have consequences for his future at Stamford Bridge.
ESPN Brazil’s Renato Senise reports from London that Estêvão still wants to stay at Chelsea. However, his position could change if he gets little football before January.
Estêvão concerned about Chelsea opportunities
The 19-year-old missed the end of last season after suffering a right thigh injury in April. That problem also ruled him out of the World Cup. His return has now coincided with Alonso’s arrival at Chelsea.
Estêvão played only the final seven minutes of the Premier League opener against Fulham. He then started the League Cup match, a competition English clubs regularly use to rotate their squads.
The biggest warning came against Brighton. Chelsea won 4-3, but Estêvão remained on the bench throughout. Alonso has only managed three matches, so it is obviously very early. Even so, the Brazilian has already started thinking about where he fits.
Part of the problem is the competition in his preferred position. Estêvão feels most comfortable playing centrally in attack. Chelsea already have Cole Palmer there, while Morgan Rogers arrived this summer as the club’s most expensive signing of the window.
Playing on the right would provide another route into the team. Pedro Neto currently occupies that role as a wing-back in Alonso’s system.
That option doesn’t particularly appeal to Estêvão. According to ESPN Brazil, he believes adapting physically for the position would require him to add muscle. He worries that could cost him mobility and affect the style which has made him such an exciting player.
January could become decision point
For now, there is no suggestion Estêvão is pushing to leave Chelsea. Quite the opposite. He has made it clear to those around him that he likes the club and wants to continue there.
The concern is what happens over the next four months. If his opportunities remain limited during the first half of the season, ESPN Brazil says a “change of posture” could be considered when the January transfer window opens.
That makes Alonso’s team selections worth watching. Chelsea invested €61.5m (£53.2m) to sign Estêvão from Palmeiras, and he has already made 38 appearances for the club. The youngster has eight goals and three assists.
Nobody around the player appears ready to make a big decision after three matches under a new manager. There is, though, already some unease about his place in Alonso’s plans.
If that doesn’t change, January could become considerably more interesting.
