Manchester City are among the clubs keeping tabs on Chelsea‘s 19-year-old Brazilian winger Estevao, but the Blues have no intention of letting him go.
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City and Arsenal are both watching developments at Stamford Bridge, while Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have made discreet enquiries about his situation. Those four clubs have also made their interest known to people close to the player, and Manchester United have been touted with a possible interest too.
There is an obvious Etihad angle. Estevao played a significant role under Enzo Maresca during the previous campaign, as well as under Liam Rosenior, so the City boss knows exactly what the teenager can do.
Why has Estevao’s Chelsea future been questioned?
It comes down to a slow start under new head coach Xabi Alonso. Estevao had to wait until Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday for his first start of the season, and it was reported last week that he and his camp had voiced concerns about how the campaign had begun and the changes Alonso’s system brought.
His place in the pecking order appeared to slip after Alonso arrived, and that was enough to alert a number of clubs who had liked him before.
Will Chelsea sell?
Not on this evidence. Chelsea are aware of the outside interest, but sources insist the club see Estevao as a central part of their long-term plans and remain convinced he is fully committed to continuing his career in west London.
The Blues have consistently maintained that the Brazilian is a key player for the future, and they have no intention of letting a difficult start to the season change that. There is also confidence at Stamford Bridge that Alonso will bring out the very best in him as he gets used to the new manager’s methods and tactical demands.
‘He’s going to give Xabi a problem’
The start against United was an important step, and Estevao took his chance. Former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard was clearly impressed, telling The Overlap Daily: “He’s really exciting. He’s great to watch. Your typical Brazilian, where it’s about flair, it’s about quality, but I really like that he is very direct. I like that he is hungry to get shots off.”
Gerrard reckons the display could earn the winger a run in the side and leave Joao Pedro, who missed Saturday’s game, fighting to win his shirt back once fit: “So, he’s desperate to impress the manager, and he’s going to give Xabi a problem when Joao Pedro comes back because Neto is a great player as well, but five doesn’t go into that front four, so it’s going to be interesting.”
He added: “But he has done himself no harm at all in terms of his own individual performance.”
Where does this leave Man City?
For City, this looks like watching rather than chasing. They are one of seven clubs named, and there is nothing to suggest a bid is being lined up. It is not the first time the two clubs have been linked with the same player either, with City and Chelsea tipped for a €50m bidding war over Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi earlier this week.
The squad is not short of attacking talent, even if Maresca has asked his forwards to stop relying on Erling Haaland for the goals. And with Manchester United interested in a City defender who has not played a league minute, January may be more about who leaves the Etihad than who arrives.
Verdict: Estevao to City is a long shot for now
Chelsea hold every card here. Estevao is 19, he has just taken his first start of the season with both hands, and the club insist he is part of their future. Unless his minutes dry up again, it is hard to see them doing business with a direct rival.
Still, keeping an eye on him makes sense. Maresca knows the player better than most, and if things turn sour under Alonso, being near the front of the queue could matter. For now, this is one to watch rather than one to expect.
