Estevao made a significant impact on his first Premier League start of the season for Chelsea, even though he failed to score in the victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Brazilian teenager saw two goals disallowed for tight offsides and had a powerful shot saved by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, leaving him frustrated.
Long-awaited opportunity
Estevao was one of the Premier League's breakout stars last season but had waited patiently for a chance to feel valued under head coach Xabi Alonso. Alonso informed him almost a week in advance that he would start against United, giving him ample time to prepare.
The decision came after Chelsea struggled without him in recent matches, including the Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield. Estevao, who is also a regular for the Brazil national team under Carlo Ancelotti, used the opportunity to unsettle Michael Carrick's defence with his driving runs and low centre of gravity.
Impact and future role
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer said: "Every time I got the ball I tried to give it to him, to show what he could do." Reports in Spain this week have linked Estevao with Barcelona, but Alonso insists the youngster is not leaving in January.
Alonso views Estevao as a right winger rather than a wing-back, and his limited playing time has been partly attributed to strong competition from Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro. The first of Estevao's disallowed goals was reminiscent of his strike against Barcelona in the Champions League last season, and his influence on Saturday was immense. As Chelsea prepare for Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, where they lost in Estevao's absence on the final day of last season, his time appears to have come.
