Chelsea could now be preparing to tie down a player who has struggled to get much time on the pitch this season.
Xabi Alonso has plenty of attacking options to choose from, making it difficult for some of Chelsea's younger talents to establish themselves.
One player in particular will need to be patient, but the club's latest stance suggests his future at Stamford Bridge remains a priority despite talks of a move elsewhere.
Chelsea considering offering Estevao new Chelsea contract
According to a report from the Daily Mail, via Roundtable, Chelsea are considering offering Estevao Willian an improved contract, despite the Brazilian's limited role under Alonso.
The 19-year-old arrived from Palmeiras in 2025 and enjoyed an encouraging first season in England, making 36 appearances across all competitions. A hamstring injury disrupted his campaign, but there were plenty of reasons for Chelsea supporters to be excited about what he could bring to the team.
Despite a solid breakthrough, the teenager's situation has been more difficult this season.
Estevao has made seven appearances, totalling just 154 minutes, and has largely been restricted to brief cameos in the Premier League. He has started Chelsea's Carabao Cup fixtures, but competition for places has made regular league football harder to come by than many would've expected.
Alonso has continually insisted that the winger will get his opportunities as the season progresses, highlighting the need to manage his game time carefully following his injury problems last season.
Nevertheless, Chelsea reportedly want to reward Estevao's patience with improved terms, which would confirm Alonso's confidence in his potential. It remains unclear whether the Brazilian would agree to a new deal, though.
Chelsea must give Estevao a reason to commit
There is little reason for Chelsea to panic about Estevao's future. His current contract runs until 2033, so the club are already in a strong position.
The bigger question is whether a new deal would actually suit the player. Chelsea can offer financial security and the chance to develop at one of Europe's biggest clubs, but Estevao will ultimately want regular minutes.
Alonso has a difficult decision to make. Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro have been important attacking options, and disrupting an in form front three just to please a young player may not make sense.
Chelsea can't expect their promising youngsters to wait forever for opportunities, though. Estevao has already shown flashes of what he can do, so while the Blues won't be panicking just yet, Alonso may not want to leave it much longer.
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