Barcelona monitor Chelsea forward Estevão after limited minutes under Xabi Alonso
FC Barcelona is closely monitoring the situation of Chelsea forward Estevão, who has experienced a frustrating start to his second season in English football with only 23 minutes played across the first five Premier League matches under manager Xabi Alonso, according to a report published by the Catalan daily newspaper Sport.
Barcelona and the Pursuit of Estevão
Barcelona’s sporting management has maintained an appreciation for Estevão’s talents dating back to his development at Palmeiras. When the player originally moved to England in a transfer package reaching up to 61.5 million euros including add-ons, Barcelona ultimately refrained from entering a heavy bidding war due to financial constraints at the time and Deco’s assessment that the right wing was already occupied by Lamine Yamal, directing available resources elsewhere. Now, the limited playing time under Alonso has brought the young forward back onto the club’s radar as a potential fit for their tactical philosophy.
Tactical Friction and Physical Development at Chelsea
The current impasse at Chelsea stems from both tactical alignment and physical conditioning disagreements. Estevão believes his natural progression involves shifting from the right flank into a more central playmaking role. However, that specific zone is occupied by Cole Palmer in Alonso’s setup, restricting the teenager’s path to regular starts outside of two League Cup appearances. Beyond on-field positioning, Sport reports that Estevão has resisted further forced increases to his muscle mass. Having undergone physical conditioning programs during his debut Premier League campaign, the player worries that added bulk could compromise the speed and agility that define his game.
Player Stance and National Team Backing
Despite mounting speculation regarding a potential exit from London, neither Estevão nor his representatives are actively pursuing a transfer at this stage. The forward has avoided public confrontation with Alonso, emphasizing during international duty with Brazil that he focuses strictly on controllable factors and delivering strong performances whenever called upon. That national team outlook remains secure under Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has affirmed his confidence in the youngster as a key pillar for the national team’s future, stating he will continue receiving call-ups regardless of his club minutes at Chelsea.
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