"Doesn't Get Any Playing Time" - Carlo Ancelotti Comments On Estevao's Situation At Chelsea

Estevao has had limited minutes for Chelsea at the start of the season.

Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has weighed in on Estevao Willian’s lack of minutes at Chelsea.

It is no secret that Estevao has had an underwhelming start to the season with Chelsea.

The 19-year-old has made only two starts so far, both in the Carabao Cup, and has featured only four times as a substitute in the Premier League.

In total, Estevao has played 148 minutes of football, less than two full matches.

Reports suggested Estevao was concerned about his future at Chelsea under new manager Xabi Alonso. The winger himself said he understood that Chelsea has a lot of “top-class” players, so he focuses on what he “can control”.

It is hard to criticise Alonso for placing Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers ahead in the pecking order, given their form, but the manager’s 3-4-2-1 formation has certainly not helped Estevao’s case.

On the other hand, Alonso insisted that Estevao would still play an important role for the Blues this season, despite the not-so-convincing evidence so far.

Getting the call-up for international duty must be welcome news for Estevao, who would be eager for more opportunities to be on the pitch.

Even better, Ancelotti confirmed that the Chelsea teenager will be in the starting line-up for Friday’s friendly match against Australia, alongside Endrick, Raphinha, and Vinicius Junior.

Ancelotti made it clear that, regardless of Estevao’s situation at Chelsea, he believes the young winger is crucial to the national team and will get the minutes he needs to develop.

“Estevao is a very important player for the national team,” the Italian head coach said in his press conference on Thursday.

“Sometimes the club’s interests do not align with those of the national team.

“For us, Estevao, along with other young players, is very, very important.

“And even if he doesn’t play or doesn’t get any playing time at his club, I will call him up, because we believe he is very important for the future, and we will give him the opportunity to continue his development.”

Chelsea will certainly benefit from Ancelotti’s trust in Estevao.

Without European football, it's clear Chelsea cannot offer many minutes to their non-regular starters, and Estevao is unfortunately in that group as it stands.

If Estevao impresses during this international break, in which Brazil will play three friendlies against Australia (twice) and India, Alonso will have even more incentive to give Estevao more than just seven-or eight-minute cameos in Premier League games.

Chelsea will have a relatively busy month in October with five fixtures in three weeks, starting with a Premier League home game against Bournemouth on October 10. It will be followed by tough fixtures against Everton (a), Tottenham Hotspur (h), Liverpool (a - Carabao Cup), and Manchester United (h).