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Chelsea ready to agree deal with €110m superstar
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Chelsea are reportedly open to rewarding Estevao Willian with a new contract despite his lack of game time under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The Brazil international has only played 29 minutes of action in the Premier League so far this season and he has been the biggest loser of Alonso’s decision to use a 3-4-2-1 system, with Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro all nailed-on starters in attack.
Rumours suggest that Estevao is growing frustrated by his current status in the Chelsea first-team squad and reports from Spain claim that Barcelona are keeping close tabs on his situation, having failed to sign him during his time at Palmeiras.
The 19-year-old has featured in five of Chelsea’s six league fixtures this term, however he is still yet to come on earlier than the 80th minute and with no European football, there are limited opportunities for significant game time.
Despite this, Chelsea are “open” to rewarding Estevao with a new contract on improved terms, according to a report from The Daily Mail. The Brazilian’s current deal isn’t due to expire until 2032, but Alonso’s side are willing to engage in contract talks after finalising new agreements with both Palmer and Pedro since the end of last season.
It remains to be seen if Estevao will accept a new contract offer, or push to leave the club in search of regular football.
Xabi Alonso reveals Estevao plan
While Estevao is yet to establish himself as a key player under Alonso, the Chelsea manager has confirmed that he plans to increase the Brazilian’s game time over the coming months.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea’s 5-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, Alonso said: “It’s still early in the season, just a few games since we started. Este is feeling much better from the injury; we have seen with Brazil that he has played more.
“The context is different when he played with the international team than in the Premier League. We know the demands of the Premier League and we know how important Este can be in some games. He will have his moments and more minutes.”
Estevao has scored eight goals in 43 games for Chelsea, and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at a whopping €110.9 million - the third-highest of any teenager in world football, behind only Barcelona duo Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi.
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