Chelsea told to open the door to Estevao starting role - 'what a player he is'

Xabi Alonso must be able to rotate Estevao regularly among his front three if he is to keep the Brazilian happy at Chelsea.

That is the opinion of experienced former Aston Villa, Tottenham and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 19-year-old has struggled for Premier League minutes since the Spaniard's arrival, appearing for just 23 minutes in the league so far this season.

Estevao was hugely impressive last season following his £51million move from Palmeiras, but Chelsea risk pushing him out of the door if he cannot gain regular minutes.

Those close to the Brazilian have reportedly insisted that he is aware that it is early in the season and will be happy to wait for more opportunities, but Alonso is yet to prove that he is willing to give them out.

Chelsea's lack of European football this season could see the teenager limited to just appearances in the cups.

Estevao 'has been grown up about it'

Chelsea won a race to sign Estevao last summer, and they would face huge interest if he was to signal his desire to leave.

But the winger is under contract until 2033 at Stamford Bridge and currently intent on fulfilling his potential in London.

"He seems to have been quite grown up about it. And he says he will train and he will play when he's told to play to the best he can," King told Football Insider.

"It's not that often that you get somebody with that kind of attitude. He's an exciting player. He really is. What Chelsea have got to do is rotate those four players, to be honest.

"He's competing at the moment against [Cole] Palmer, [Morgan] Rogers and [Joao] Pedro. And all three of those are very good players, very experienced players.

"Estevao, for me, has great potential. Christ alive, he was a find, he was. That's for sure."

What has Estevao said?

Despite the public noise, Estevao has remained focused on impressing Alonso and making his way into the Chelsea team.

He was selected by Carlo Ancelotti for the Brazil squad, and started against Australia on Friday.

"I think every coach has their own way of playing,” Estevao said last week. “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.”