Multiple Premier League and European rivals of Chelsea are watching the club’s handling of Estevao Willian with intrigue after the Brazilian wonderkid again went unused under Xabi Alonso.
Despite Cole Palmer’s suspension and Joao Pedro’s injury, Estevao was overlooked during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool. The 19-year-old stayed sat on the bench at Anfield while four others were introduced during the 1-1 draw preceding the penalty shootout.
In Chelsea’s eight Premier League fixtures, he has been brought on as a late substitute six times and unused twice.
Estevao is tied down to a contract lasting into the 2030s with Chelsea, who consider him among their ‘untouchables’ and have looked at trying to arrange a new deal. But external sources have confided that his situation is piquing interest within Premier League and European circles.
It is understood Estevao’s limited role under Alonso is not the result of a fall-out, and purely down to tactical and technical decisions. Chelsea’s manager has hinted that the physicality of the Premier League is a contributing factor while promising greater chances as the season progresses.
Alonso does not see Estevao as suited to a wing-back role, which involves a great deal of tracking back, but as a winger who can come inside, as Palmer does in the 3-4-2-1 system.
Estevao was an unused substitute during Chelsea’s Carabao Cup exit to Liverpool and his lack of minutes is piquing the interest of rivals clubs in the Premier League and across Europe
In Chelsea’s eight Premier League fixtures, the Brazilian has been brought on as a late substitute six times and unused twice
Chelsea fans hope they will soon see more of Estevao in action – the away end at Anfield were singing his name on Wednesday while he went unused. But Palmer will be back available when Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League this Saturday lunchtime after serving his one-game ban.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is scheduled to name his Brazil squad for their November friendlies against Japan and Singapore later today. Estevao has started as many matches for his country in their one international break as he has for Chelsea in all competitions this season.
Ancelotti is still expected to call him up, having said during the last break that he will overlook his lack of minutes with Chelsea because he considers it his duty to aid his development. The Sao Paulo native has six goals in 14 Brazil caps.
Como star on radar
Chelsea are continuing to keep tabs on Jacobo Ramon, the 21-year-old defender of Como who is impressing under Cesc Fabregas, though they are joined by others across England and Europe.
Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked with Ramon. His situation is likewise complicated by Real Madrid retaining a 50 per cent sell-on clause in any deal for the Spain Under 21s centre back, as well as an unspecified buy-back clause.
Ramon played under Alonso way back in 2018-19, when the now-Chelsea manager began his coaching career within Madrid’s youth system.
Chelsea’s interest predates Alonso’s arrival and goes back to last January, when they had Ramon on a shortlist along with Jeremy Jacquet – then of Rennes, now of Liverpool – and Marcos Senesi – then of Bournemouth, now of Tottenham.
Chelsea focused on trying to sign Jacquet, but he chose Liverpool, signing a pre-agreement to join them in the summer for £60million. He came on as a substitute in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash, replacing Virgil van Dijk.
Chelsea are continuing to keep tabs on 21-year-old Como defender Jacobo Ramon (left), but face competition from various rivals
Chelsea leading race for £90m Scott
Sources at rival clubs believe Chelsea will end up winning the race to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, with it possible that an agreement could be reached before the January window.
The word is a fee of around £90m would be expected to be enough, despite Bournemouth saying they want £100m-plus.
In a way, the improving results of Marco Rose’s side are helping expedite Scott’s exit, as they insist any winter sale would be blocked if their Premier League position were precarious. Scott is injured and Bournemouth have won five consecutive games in all competitions without him.
While Liverpool have looked at Scott, they are not said to have shown as much interest as Chelsea, and there are some suspicions that Bournemouth would like a bidding war for a 23-year-old midfielder who has indicated his interest in moving on.
Monaco’s Lamine Camara, who Chelsea came close to signing for half the price of Scott at £47m in the summer, also has his fans at Liverpool.
Chelsea’s rivals believe the Blues will win the race to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott
A bad omen for Blues?
Five years ago this week…
October 24, 2021: Manchester United lose 5-0 at home to Liverpool.
October 25-26: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears on the brink of losing his job.
October 27: Solskjaer surprisingly avoids the sack.
October 30: United head to London and win 3-0 away at Tottenham.
Chelsea are aiming to avoid history repeating itself when Michael Carrick’s side visit Stamford Bridge this Saturday after a week in which United were beaten by Bournemouth but the boss avoided the axe.
Chelsea are expecting United captain Bruno Fernandes to return to their starting line-up after his clear-the-air talks with Carrick.
Lavia hits the full 90
Romeo Lavia completed his first full 90 minutes in a competitive match for Chelsea against Liverpool, which can only be good for his confidence levels.
Alonso identified that as an issue in pre-season, when he allowed the 22-year-old midfielder to complete the match in a friendly win over AC Milan. Chelsea’s manager told those of us on the tour that he wanted to give Lavia that moment because he believed he had a ‘mental block’ about it after his injury history.
Romeo Lavia completed his first full 90 minutes in a competitive match for Chelsea against Liverpool on Wednesday night
Post-career protection
This week, a group of Chelsea first-teamers and promising academy players got together in a meeting room at Cobham for a talk from a specialist brought in to discuss career-ending insurance.
While a dry topic, it is an important consideration for footballers in this unpredictable game.
Speaking of injuries, Chelsea have had an unfortunate run of muscle issues of late, with Maxence Lacroix struggling to walk off the pitch at Anfield after picking up a hamstring problem.
Fancy a job at Chelsea?
Chelsea are searching for a physical performance coach to join their first-team support staff. Within the job listing, they say they want someone who can ‘lead on GK specific physical development’.
