Chelsea legend issues verdict on star amid struggle for games under Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

Young star has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso

Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says it is a “pity” Estevao is not playing more regularly for the Blues but believes he can break into the team after the international break.

Estevao was Chelsea’s breakout star last season, playing regularly under Enzo Maresca and then Liam Rosenior and scoring huge goals against Liverpool in the Premier League and Barcelona in the Champions League.

Since Xabi Alonso took charge in July, however, the teenager has struggled for game time for Chelsea, who have a new-look front three in Cole Palmer, £117million signing Morgan Rogers, and Estevao’s Brazil team-mate and close friend Joao Pedro.

The 19-year-old has not made a single start in the league yet this season, with his longest cameo being nine minutes off the bench at the Emirates Stadium in last month’s 2-1 defeat away to defending champions Arsenal. His only starts for Chelsea this season have come in the Carabao Cup, and he last scored for the Blues in April.

Estevao is currently on international duty with Brazil, who face India in a friendly in Kolkata on Saturday.

“I'm a big lover of Estevao,” Hasselbaink said in an interview with MrQ. “I think he's a super talent. For him not being in the team, it's a pity.

Hasselbaink, who scored 87 goals for Chelsea between 2000 and 2004, added: “I'd love to see Estevao on the pitch soon. I think he's exceptional.

“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.”