Estêvão is navigating a difficult stretch at Stamford Bridge, logging only 172 minutes across eight appearances for Chelsea in the Premier League and EFL Cup during the ongoing season, MARCA reported.
The 67 Million Euro Transfer and Early Promise
Chelsea paid Palmeiras a fixed fee of 67 million euros in 2024 to secure the forward, who officially joined the club in 2025. Widely known by the nickname ‘Messinho’ due to his technical skill, the 19-year-old briefly captured the attention of English football when he scored the winning goal against Liverpool on Oct. 5, 2025. Real Madrid had also scouted the Brazilian prospect before his move to London, though the Spanish club did not complete a deal.
Limited Opportunities Under Manager Xabi Alonso
Despite his early-season impact, Estêvão has struggled to secure regular minutes under Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso. The player’s progress has been partly blocked by the strong form of teammate Pedro Neto on the wing. Frustration around the situation surfaced recently when Chelsea exited the Carabao Cup following a match against Liverpool. During that fixture, Estêvão warmed up on the touchline but was left on the bench as Alonso chose to introduce Emmanuel Emegha—who had not played a single minute since arriving in the summer transfer window from Strasbourg—instead of the Brazilian forward.
Managerial Defense and Physical Demands of the Premier League
Former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison expressed surprise at the decision, stating on the BBC that he could not understand why Estêvão remained unused while the team dealt with attacking injuries. Addressing the selection, Alonso defended his lineup choices by pointing to the intense physical nature of English football and squad management. “Empezamos con Pedro (Neto), Morgan (Rogers) y Danny Welbeck, y el partido tuvo momentos de gran intensidad,” Alonso told reporters, explaining that the physical demands and late cramps suffered by Malo Gusto forced specific tactical adjustments. Regarding Estêvão’s current mood, the manager acknowledged that the forward wants to play more. “Estêvão podría estar más contento. Estoy seguro de que tendrá su momento; es mi responsabilidad,” Alonso said, adding that the player is currently in his second season and must adjust to the pace of the league.
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