Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink urges Xabi Alonso to play ‘exceptional’ star amid Chelsea exit rumours | Football

Chelsea hero Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been puzzled by Estevao’s lack of playing time this season and believes the ‘exceptional’ forward deserves more opportunities after the international break.

Estevao left Palmeiras to join Chelsea in the summer of 2025 and went on to enjoy an eye-catching debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, racking up eight goals and four assists for the Blues.

A serious hamstring injury brought Estevao’s season to a premature end in April, though, a devastating blow that saw him miss out on on a place in Brazil’s squad at this year’s World Cup.

The 19-year-old attacker has since struggled to work his way back into Chelsea’s XI since Xabi Alonso took over the reins as manager, with his only two starts this term coming in the Carabao Cup.

According to recent reports in Spain, Estevao has been left ‘frustrated’ and ‘angry’ by the situation, and La Liga champions Barcelona are plotting a stunning move to prise the youngster away from Stamford Bridge.

However, Estevao is not thought to be seriously considering the prospect of leaving Chelsea just yet – and he will no doubt be itching to make an impression when the west London giants resume their Premier League season at home to Bournemouth next weekend.

The teenager should be brimming with confidence after starting and scoring in Brazil’s 4-0 victory over India on Saturday.

‘I’m a big lover of Estevao,’ former Chelsea and Netherlands striker Hasselbaink told MrQ.

‘I think he’s a super talent. For him not being in the team, it’s a pity.

‘I would like him to be in the team because he creates and he plays with guts.

‘Don’t get me wrong, we have got up front three really good players for Chelsea in Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, but why can we not have four? Can we get the fourth one in?’

According to Hasselbaink, Estevao has to have a strong ‘belief’ in his own ability if he is to force his way into Alonso’s thinking.

‘I’d love to see Estevao on the pitch soon. I think he’s exceptional,’ the Dutchman added.

‘He must believe that he’s good enough to start ahead of the main three. He has to think that he can, because he needs to play. He needs to push them. And that’s only going to be the best thing for the team too, if he pushes them.

‘I think he can do it. But he has to believe it himself.’

Facing the media after Brazil’s friendly with India this weekend, Estevao suggested his outstanding performance for his country was a result of the ‘trust’ that Carlo Ancelotti had placed in him.

‘It’s always an honour to be helping the national team, scoring goals and playing,’ he told reporters.

‘The coach is a guy who trusts me, so I try to put that into practice on the field.

‘Getting playing time, especially for Brazil, is an honour. So I think those minutes were very important for me to get back into rhythm.’

On Brazil’s overall display, Estevao added: ‘We know we still need to improve a lot in our game.

‘But we come out of this international break with two wins and a draw. I believe we know what we need to improve and we will look for that in future call-ups.’

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