Estevao and Chelsea deny Alonso rift after 23 league minutes in five

📰 Both the player's camp and Chelsea have firmly denied reports from Brazil of a rift between Estêvão and manager Xabi Alonso. 📌 Key points 🗣️ Reports emerged in Brazil of a rift over his frustration at a lack of playing time. 🚫 Estêvão's camp and Chelsea both dismissed any rift. ⏱️ Estêvão has played just 23 minutes in five league games. 🧢 Alonso said his chance will definitely come. 💰 Despite reported interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, the club are not interested in offers. 📝 What happened 🗣️ Reports spread in Brazil that Estêvão, unhappy with his playing time, had a frosty relationship with Alonso. According to Chelsea FC Online, the player's camp and the club strongly denied this, and the BBC's Nizaar Kinsella also dismissed talk of a rift. ⏱️ It is true, however, that his minutes have been limited. Estêvão played just 23 minutes in the first five league games, and according to Yahoo Sports he has played 148 minutes across six games under Alonso, starting only twice. That is a big contrast with last season's 36 games, 8 goals and 4 assists. 🧢 Alonso said Estêvão has been working hard in training and was impressive against Arsenal, and that he will certainly get chances going forward. Estêvão himself said he is giving his all in training, will take his chance when it comes, and believes in himself. 💰 There is talk that Real Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring the situation, but Chelsea's ownership group are said to have no interest in offers. Estêvão's contract runs until June 2033. 📊 By the numbers • Minutes in 5 league games: 23 • Competitive games under Alonso: 6 games, 148 minutes, 2 starts • Last season: 36 games, 8 goals, 4 assists • Contract: until June 2033 🔭 Why it matters The 19-year-old Estêvão is a key prospect Chelsea are developing for the long term. If his minutes stay low, talk of a rift or a transfer is bound to resurface. Chelsea face Bournemouth on 10 October after the break. Estêvão's place could also depend on whether Palmer and João Pedro return from injury.