Xabi Alonso forced to make Estevao promise after €100m Chelsea exit rumours

9 Oct 2026 17:31 BST 2 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has addressed the growing concerns over Estevao's lack of game time amid rumours that the youngster could look to leave the club next year.

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The Brazilian wonderkid has been one of several Chelsea starlets who have found themselves mostly on the outside looking in under the new Blues supremo. Estevao has started twice in the Carabao Cup, but he has only played 23 minutes in the Premier League so far.

For a player who is believed to be the future of Chelsea, this is not good enough. Estevao was given just three minutes of action in Chelsea's 3-0 defeat against Brentford ahead of the international break, which sent the rumour mill into overdrive.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€99.8M - €122M

Reports claiming that the teenager was growing unhappy quickly proliferated, and it was later asserted that Barcelona had begun keeping a close eye on the situation with a view to potentially making a move in 2027.

However, Chelsea still view Estevao as one of their untouchable players and have no intention of entertaining a departure, neither in January nor next summer. For now, Estevao, whose Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has jumped to €110.9 million, also seems to be relaxed about the situation.

Alonso makes Estevao promise

Speaking to the media while away on international duty two weeks ago, the youngster said: "I think every coach has their own way of playing. 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, 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."

Now, Alonso has addressed the growing speculation over the youngster. Having previously insisted that getting regular game time "is a process" for a player of Estevao's age, he has now made it clear that the attacker will get his opportunities to impress before long.

"It's still early, just a few games since we started, and Este is feeling much better from the injury," Alonso said ahead of Chelsea's return to action against Bournemouth, referencing the hamstring injury that prematurely ended Estevao's 2025/26 season.

"We have seen in Brazil that he has played more. The context is different - what he has played with the national team to the Premier League. But we know the demand of the Premier League and we know Este, how important he can be in some games.

"He will have his moments and more minutes."