{"id":784984,"date":"2026-09-28T06:00:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/784984\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T06:00:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T06:00:12","slug":"its-a-shame-xabi-alonso-told-to-sell-chelsea-star-after-barcelona-approach-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/784984\/","title":{"rendered":"‘It’s a shame’ – Xabi Alonso told to sell Chelsea star after Barcelona approach | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\tChelsea manager Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso<\/a> has been urged to \u2018sacrifice\u2019 Estevao Willian<\/a> from his Chelsea<\/a> project after he was linked with a move to Barcelona.<\/p>\n

Chelsea signed teenage sensation Estevao from Brazilian side Palmeiras in 2025<\/a>, beating a host of clubs to his signature.<\/p>\n

Estevao showed glimpses of his immense potential last season, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances despite being managed carefully by former bosses Enzo Maresca<\/a> and Liam Rosenior<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old was quickly branded one of the best young players in the world and put himself in contention for Brazil\u2019s World Cup<\/a> squad before an untimely injury at the end of the campaign.<\/p>\n

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Alonso\u2019s arrival at Stamford Bridge has not been immediately beneficial for Estevao, who is yet to start a Premier League<\/a> game for Chelsea this season.<\/p>\n

This lack of game-time has led to speculation Estevao is frustrated in west London<\/a> and could try to leave Chelsea less than 18 months after his arrival.<\/p>\n

According to reports in Spain<\/a>, Barcelona have even expressed interest in a deal, having admired Estevao ever since he came through in Brazil.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"EDITORIAL
\n\t\tEstevao is struggling for game-time at Chelsea (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

Frank Leboeuf insists it would be a \u2018shame\u2019 if Estevao left Chelsea but believes it may be in the best interest of all parties to go their separate ways.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think Estevao might have to leave Chelsea and it\u2019s a shame because he is a pure talent,\u2019 the former Stamford Bridge defender told My Gamble<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u2018But Xabi Alonso proved at Leverkusen that his system works by going undefeated and winning the Bundesliga. Why change it?<\/p>\n

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tFormer Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf (Picture: ESPN)<\/p>\n

\u2018He joined Chelsea when Estevao was already there, but he didn\u2019t specifically choose him. Estevao might be sacrificed. It might be time to sell him.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018If you\u2019re not going to use him, sell him, because he deserves to play and could be well-utilized by other teams. He has great talent.<\/p>\n

\u2018If Xabi Alonso doesn\u2019t need him, why keep him instead of letting him move elsewhere?\u2019<\/p>\n

Estevao came on as a late substitute in Chelsea\u2019s deflating 3-0 defeat to Brentford before the international break<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The teenager started for Brazil in their friendly against Australia on Friday night and will hope for more minutes when Carlo Ancelotti\u2019s side face the same opponents this week.<\/p>\n

Alonso\u2019s Chelsea are just 10th in the Premier League after five games despite an encouraging start to the season in which they won their first three fixtures.<\/p>\n

The Blues return to action after the international break with a home game against struggling Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Erling Haaland tipped for stunning transfer after Manchester City guilty verdict<\/a><\/p>\n


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