Chelsea legend John Terry don talk say Estevao Willian go soon move from squad player to regular starter under Xabi Alonso, and once the 19-year-old Brazilian winger hold down spot, e go hard to leave am out.
Di 19-year-old made him third Premier League appearance for 2026/27 campaign from bench on Saturday, as Chelsea draw 2-2 with Hull City for Stamford Bridge. E enter for 86th minute to replace Pedro Neto. Without stoppage time, Estevao don play just 20 minutes across three top-flight games dis term. E never start any Premier League match under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Reports earlier dis month from Brazil, including ESPN Brasil, tok say Estevao dey worried about lack of game time under new boss and about being used as right winger instead of central attacking role wey make am shine for Palmeiras. Alonso don downplay talk say teenager no happy and insist say e still get big role for dis season.
Terry, wey be former Chelsea captain, yarn on him YouTube channel say e no share those concerns. ‘Estevao comes on for five minutes and he probably could have come on a bit earlier,’ Terry tok. ‘I would have liked to have seen Neto go over to the left. I’d like to see the wingers take it upon themselves and just switch for 10 minutes, see how they get on.’
Terry also point to physical change for youngster, wey miss around three months earlier dis year through muscle injury. ‘Estevao looked good, he looked sharp,’ e tok. ‘He looks a bit bigger and stronger, I saw him in the gym the other day and he looks like he is developing and getting stronger. He certainly needs game time, but as things stand, he is a great option to bring on as a substitute for 10 or 15 minutes.’
Di praise no stop for immediate situation. Terry believe say Estevao get attributes to take big role for Stamford Bridge. ‘Really, really like him,’ former defender tok. ‘Exciting, strong, got so much potential. When you look at him, he is really powerful, really quick and aggressive for someone so small. I am excited for his Chelsea career.’ Terry add: ‘I think he is the type of player that, once he gets back in the side, he nails down his place and then he is hard to shift or take out of the team. He is a great lad, loves Chelsea and I think he is a top star.’
Terry also slam Chelsea dreadful defending for di draw with Hull City. For now, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers occupy key positions for Alonso attack, while Neto hold down right flank ahead of Estevao. Chelsea no get European football dis season, so minutes for fringe players dey harder to find. If rumours say Estevao no happy true, no surprise, because e know how good e be and e deserve first-team football. But Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro dey undroppable at time of writing.
Alonso no too keen to play am as wing-back when dem ask am for press conference. Alonso believe Estevao best position na winger, inside forward, and one wey no get too much defensive responsibility. Chelsea suppose fight hard to keep am, and dem fit need convince am say e still be integral part of long-term vision for Stamford Bridge.
Last season, Estevao prove say e can lock horns with best in world, with excellent performances in landmark wins over Ajax and Barcelona for Champions League, and Liverpool for Premier League. But e no always fit, nursing minor knocks before serious hamstring problem in April. Despite him quality, e no always available, and for era of 40, 50, sometimes 60-game seasons, availability paramount. Estevao go only adjust to physical demands by gradually playing more, so e need careful management. E and Alonso just need patience. Plenty games still remain dis term. Alonso no too keen to play am as wing-back when dem ask am for press conference. Alonso believe Estevao best position na winger, inside forward, and one wey no get too much defensive responsibility.
