Estevao makes his case for a bigger Chelsea role after a performance against Manchester United that underlined why supporters had grown impatient during his limited involvement earlier in the season. The 19-year-old was handed his first Premier League start of the campaign and responded with the kind of display that could alter Xabi Alonso’s plans, even though neither of his two disallowed goals counted.
Chelsea’s attacking play against United leaned heavily toward Estevao’s right flank, and he finished the match with more shots and more touches in the opposition box than any other player on the pitch. He also delivered several dangerous set pieces, and his work rate drew praise from Alonso, who noted that the Brazilian was exhausted by the end after fighting hard throughout.
A response that impressed the manager
Alonso had previously suggested that Estevao needed time to build up his physical condition following an injury-disrupted first season at the club. The manager described the winger’s response as the best possible, saying the player had shown he deserved more opportunities and was prepared for them. The display against United was only the second time Estevao has played more than 75 minutes in a Premier League game, and tracking data recorded his highest totals for high-speed runs and overall running distance, signs that his fitness is improving.
Whether Alonso will trust him from the start again at Sunderland on Sunday remains uncertain, given the physical demands likely to be placed on Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. But Estevao’s link with Cole Palmer may strengthen his claim. The two combined for 16 passes against United, a sharp contrast with Palmer’s previous start against Tottenham, when he exchanged only two passes with Pedro Neto on the same flank.
Palmer connection and attacking balance
Palmer has typically favored playing alongside close friend Morgan Rogers on the left, but against United he looked to Estevao on the right far more often. Chelsea’s share of attacks down that side rose from 36 percent across their first eight games to 52 percent against United, with Josh Acheampong supporting from right-back. The home crowd at Stamford Bridge responded loudly to Estevao’s performance, and Alonso noted that the winger had been a threat who created several scoring situations.
Estevao’s underlying numbers have been strong despite modest output of two goals and two assists across 29 Premier League appearances. His combined average of 0.55 expected goals and expected assists per 90 minutes is the second-highest among Chelsea players since the start of last season, suggesting his raw statistics may understate his influence. His 12 touches in the box against United were more than Joao Pedro or any other Chelsea player has managed in a league game this season.
Competition for places
Joao Pedro’s return from injury will intensify the battle for attacking places, and Neto has also earned Alonso’s praise for his work on the right, with three goals and an assist in the Premier League this season. Estevao has additionally been affected by Chelsea’s failure to qualify for Europe, as much of his best work in his first season came in the Champions League, where he scored three goals in seven appearances. Those opportunities are absent this term, but the lighter schedule gives Alonso more time to implement his ideas while trying to re-establish Chelsea among the top four.
Even so, finding a way to use Estevao more regularly now looks like a priority after a timely reminder of his quality.
