Chelsea winger Estevao Willian has been warned he is not a ‘good fit’ for Xabi Alonso’s side and should look to leave the club in the January transfer window.
Chelsea saw off competition from a host of top European clubs to sign the teenage sensation from Brazilian side Palmeiras in 2025. Estevao showed glimpses of his immense potential last season, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances, but also saw his starts managed carefully by former bosses Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
The arrival of Alonso has not helped Estevao, with the 19-year-old yet to start a Premier League match this season in the Spaniard’s 3-4-2-1 system. This lack of game time has led to speculation that Estevao is frustrated in west London and could try to leave Chelsea less than 18 months after his arrival.
Nevin: ‘Not the right type for the club Chelsea are’
Former Blues winger Pat Nevin believes a fresh start could be in the teenager’s best interest if he continues to struggle for minutes behind Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
‘I love Estevao to bits, I think he’s absolutely fantastic, and he’s going to be a great, great player, but not at Chelsea,’ Nevin told CasinoHawks. ‘I’ve just never seen it as a good fit. He’s not the right type for the club Chelsea are. There’s no security for any player in that position.
‘They can’t give him time. They’re not a club that can slowly but surely build a player and bring him in. You’re in, you’ve had a bad time, bang, out you go, next guy gets a chance, and you’re out, you’re banished for a while.
‘So I’ve always felt that it’s a stepping stone to where he will finish and suddenly flourish as a fabulous, fabulous player.’
Spain or France could suit Estevao better
Nevin continued: ‘I’ve just always felt that it should be Spain. Spain’s right for him. Maybe France. You could see him at PSG, possibly even Germany.
‘There are places that would suit him better than the Premier League and certainly better than Chelsea. Would you go to another Premier League club? There are very few that would suit. I really do think so. I actually can think of one, though. I can think of one, but they can’t afford him.
‘Should he probably leave Chelsea in January? Yes. He needs game time and he’s not [getting that].’
Alonso insists Estevao will get opportunities
Speaking recently, Alonso insisted that Estevao will get plenty of opportunities throughout the season to prove his worth.
‘It’s still early in the season, just a few games since we started,’ he said. ‘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.’
Chelsea return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Everton.
