The 19-year-old Brazilian is now in his second full season with the Blues and played a fairly consistent role under three different head coaches last campaign, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances, 20 of which were starts.
asserted
20 → play → which
He has struggled for playing time since the summer appointment of Xabi Alonso, though.
asserted
He → struggle → Alonso
Fans were optimistic about his potential influence when photos emerged in pre-season of the pair sharing a joking conversation, but it appears the Basque is unimpressed by his footballing abilities.
asserted
Basque → emerge → abilities
Of Chelsea’s 11 matches this campaign, Estevao has been involved in just eight and started twice, both times in the Carabao Cup.
asserted
Estevao → involve → Cup
He has impressed in his substitute cameos and all the while has been a mainstay for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.
asserted
He → impress → Brazil
Even more worrying is the speed with which he appears to have tumbled down the pecking order.
asserted
he → appear → order
With his countryman Joao Pedro injured ahead of the derby clash with Tottenham, Premier League debutant Geovany Quenda pipped him to a place in the starting lineup.
asserted
Quenda → injure → lineup
And as Chelsea chased a late winner at Anfield, another debutant in Emmanuel Emegha was sent on while Estevao sat on the bench.
asserted
Estevao → chase → bench
Alonso has given little away when asked to explain his hesitance to use Estevao, which is becoming a prominent talking point as the Blues’ results take a dip.
asserted
results → give → dip
Alonso has, however, suggested that he thinks Estevao lacks the physicality to compete in the upper reaches of English football, and that he is still feeling the effects of a serious hamstring injury suffered in the spring: “Yes, we know that the Premier League and the game in England is really intense.
uncertain
League → suggest → England
“You need to be up for it.
asserted
You → need → it
Este has played, for sure, it's his second season.
asserted
it → play → ?
But he had the injury and he's in that process.”
asserted
he → have → process
There is the added issue that Alonso’s preferred formation, the 3-4-2-1, does not employ out-and-out wingers.
asserted
formation → be → wingers
Estevao would be required to take on extra defensive responsibility as a wing-back, which Alonso does not appear to think suits his qualities.
asserted
Alonso → require → qualities
Speaking in early September, Alonso also revealed he had held talks with Estevao regarding his lack of minutes.
asserted
he → speak → minutes
Chelsea’s elimination from the Carabao Cup will likely further reduce Estevao’s opportunities.
asserted
elimination → reduce → opportunities
The fine early-season form of Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto likely contributed to his limited minutes, but injury and suspension has shaken up the established attacking order.
asserted
injury → contribute → order
The club continues to tout Estevao as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Europe and recently released a glitzy documentary about him, but reports have emerged suggesting he is starting to grow frustrated with his situation.
asserted
he → continue → situation
He has been linked with a loan exit in January, but Alonso insists he will not let that happen and that opportunities to impress will come.
asserted
opportunities → link → January
“Yeah, sure, he will play,” the Spaniard said.
asserted
Spaniard → play → ?
“It's a process for the team, for Este, for myself, but I'm sure that in the season he will have his games, his minutes.
asserted
he → have → games
He really wants his adaptation after the first year of injury, but we are still in October and he will be important.”
asserted
he → want → October
It remains to be seen whether Alonso will deliver on that promise.
asserted
Alonso → remain → promise
The Aporia
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