Calum McFarlane has given an update on the whereabouts and recovery timeline of Estevao, whose hamstring injury has ruled him out of the World Cup as well as the rest of Chelsea’s season.
Standard Sport understands that Estevao and Chelsea have come to an agreement over his recovery programme and that there is no plan for the Brazilian to undergo surgery any time soon.
The 19-year-old sparkled during moments in the first half of his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge but has struggled with two separate hamstring injuries since the winter, reducing his impact and game time.
When stretching for the ball while through on goal in the defeat by Manchester United last month, Estevao suffered his second hamstring issue of the campaign, which was later confirmed to be a serious grade four tear of the muscle.
He has since spent time back in his native Brazil to receive treatment at former club Palmeiras, but this week was omitted from Carlo Ancelotti’s 55-man provisional squad for the World Cup as his dreams of competing at the tournament in North America were dashed.
Estevao has performed well for the Selecao since his senior debut in 2024 and would have made their final World Cup squad but for the injury.
Interim Chelsea head coach McFarlane was asked about the teenager on Thursday amid reports from the Brazilian media that he had returned to London.
“I don’t have the details around that injury,” McFarlane admitted. “I know that Estevao has gone back to Brazil. He’s not in London at the moment; he’s in Brazil recovering. I couldn’t give you any [further] details on that.”
Speaking about the chances of Estevao being fit for the start of next season, McFarlane said: “I’m sure those conversations are going on, in terms of how long his recovery is going to be.
“We know that he’s not going to be fit for us from now until the rest of the season.
“Estevao is a top player, a top talent, really good to work with. But, right now, our focus is on the next three games, and we’ll do whatever we can to help Estevao with his recovery.”
