Barcelona chief Deco receiving transfer information on ‘angry’ Chelsea star | Football

Estevao has grown increasingly ‘angry’ with his peripheral role at Chelsea and Barcelona are keeping close tabs on the situation, according to reports in Spain.

The 19-year-old 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.

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

Estevao has since struggled to work his way back into Chelsea’s starting XI since Xabi Alonso took over the reins as manager, with all four of his appearances thus far in the Premier League coming from the substitutes bench.

The youngster will no doubt be desperate to put his hand up for selection once he returns from Brazil duty after the international break when Chelsea return to top-flight action at home to struggling Bournemouth.

According to Catalan newspaper SPORT, the situation is generating genuine ‘frustration’ for Estevao and the forward’s emotions have even turned to ‘anger’ at times given he feels he is being unfairly ‘overlooked’.

Estevao is now said to hold a ‘pessimistic’ view over his future with Chelsea and the attacker is doubtful that he will receive the first-team minutes he desires this season.

Off the pitch, it’s claimed Estevao is ‘unwilling to continue gaining muscle mass’ to the extent that Chelsea would like as he ‘fears’ it may be detrimental to his natural game.

But despite this, the report stresses that Estevao is not yet considering the prospect of leaving Chelsea amid strong interest from reigning La Liga champions Barcelona.

Estevao has been on Barca’s radar since his early days with Palmeiras, when the Spanish giants were inundated with ‘very good reports’ from their scouts in South America.

It’s claimed Estevao remains a firm ‘favourite’ at the Camp Nou and Barca sporting director Deco continues to receive information about the teenager’s complex situation in west London.

Estevao still has six-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Chelsea.

Facing the media ahead of Brazil’s 1-1 with Australia on Friday, Estevao said he was focussing on aspects he was able to control when asked about his slow start to the season with Chelsea.

‘Every coach has their own way of playing, and of course, I work hard every day and give my best. That’s what I do,’ he told reporters.

‘We have many high-quality players at Chelsea. I focus on what I can control.

‘When I have a chance, I try to give my best. I think I’ve made the most of all the opportunities I’ve had.

‘I try to control what’s within my power and leave tomorrow in God’s hands. I also have a lot of faith in myself.’

Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, insisted Estevao remained an ‘important’ figure for Brazil despite his lack of playing time at club level.

‘Estevao is a very important player for the national team,’ the Brazil head coach said at his pre-match press conference.

‘Sometimes the club’s interests are not the same as the national team’s interests.

‘For us, Estevao, along with other young players, is very, very important, and if he doesn’t play.

‘If he doesn’t get minutes at the club, I’m going to call him up, because we think he’s very important for the future, and we’re going to give him the opportunity to improve his development.’

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