The 19-year-old Brazilian forward, who scored the winner against Liverpool last October, has fallen behind in Chelsea's pecking order under Xabi Alonso. Estevao was absent from the Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool at Anfield, failing to make the starting XI in any of eight Premier League matches since Alonso took charge. The youngster has managed just 172 minutes this campaign, mostly in earlier EFL Cup games.
Alonso defended his selection, citing Pedro Neto's stellar form and the physical demands of English football, adding that the forward "could be happier" but will have his moment. Neto's seven starts in eight Premier League games have crowded Estevao's pathway, with the winger also deployed as a right-sided wing-back in Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system, limiting opportunities for the Brazilian.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing