“ I try to seize every opportunity I have, I try to control everything I can, and I leave it in God's hands, and I trust myself a lot, too.” That was Estêvão's message during the international break, and the timing helped. He scored one and created another for Pedro Guilherme to give Brazil a 2-0 lead at half time in Kolkata, and he needed just 45 minutes to leave his mark against India.
Brazil form and Chelsea's selection problem
The 19-year-old has six goals in 13.5 senior Brazil appearances, which is a strong return for a player still waiting for his first Premier League start. He has only four league appearances for Chelsea this season, with his longest cameo lasting nine minutes in last month’s 2-1 defeat away to defending champions Arsenal.
That leaves a gap between what he is doing for Brazil and what he has been allowed to show in England. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink? no. Hasselbaink said he is "a big lover of Estevao" and added, "I think he's a super talent. For him not being in the team, it's a pity." He also asked why Chelsea cannot use a fourth attacker alongside Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers.
Palmer and Joao Pedro may open the door
Chelsea welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on October 10, and the attack could look different by then. Palmer withdrew from the latest England squad with an unspecified muscle issue, while Joao Pedro has been seeing a knee specialist after pulling out of Brazil duty.
Chelsea have 7 points from 5 league matches, so the Bournemouth game already carries some pressure. Estêvão's answer has been to keep producing when he gets a chance, and that is the sort of form that makes a recall harder to ignore.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
