With Endrick, Estêvão is one of the nuggets formed at Palmeiras who have made many big clubs in Europe dream. Chelsea won the prize in 2025 for €45 million. Promising at the end of his first season, the Brazilian international (14 caps, 6 goals) has been disillusioned since the start of the 2026/2027 financial year. Last season, the young Brazilian winger played 36 matches with the Blues (8 goals, 4 assists) for a total of 1,676 minutes of play. That is an average playing time per match of around 46.5 minutes. Since this summer and the arrival of Xabi Alonso, the former Verdão resident has only appeared eight times for 172 minutes played, or exactly 21.5 minutes per match.
An observation which logically pushed the Brazilian to reconsider his future at Stamford Bridge. In recent days, the English press has mentioned a desire to leave the Blues, while the Catalan media have mentioned an interest from FC Barcelona. A situation which does not frighten the Auriverde coach, Carlo Ancelotti. “What can I say… I think we have to keep one eye on the past and the other on the future. Endrick and Estêvão should get playing time not based on the current situation, but for their development as players. But they also arrive in great shape and can perform well with the national team”. Present at a press conference on the eve of the Premier League clash against Manchester United, Xabi Alonso took stock of his winger’s situation.
No departure this winter
“It’s no secret: all players want to be on the pitch, they want to play. And when one of them didn’t get enough playing time because of my decision, I have to take responsibility for it because he’s not as happy as he could be. But, in the same way, everyone must be ready, because in any match everyone can play an important role. Everyone can be part of the team. We discuss and try to exchange our points of view. I’m the one who takes the initiative, because he’s young and I need to involve him in the conversation.”he confided, before continuing.
Image generation in progress
“Of course he will play. The season is long and everyone will have their moment. It’s a process for the team, for ‘Este’, for myself, but I’m sure that during the season he will have his matches, his minutes. We’re still early in the season, but he’ll be there. It’s not a question of attitude. It’s a question of the context of the matches. It’s a question of the start of the season. » Alonso therefore promised playing time to Estêvão and took the opportunity to affirm that a departure in January, even in the form of a loan, was not considered. “No, no, no. There is no discussion about this. » It’s said!
