The Telegraph: Chelsea Plan New Improved Contract for Estevao; Player Eager for More Playing Time

According to The Telegraph reporter Matt Law, Chelsea plan to offer Estevao a new improved contract in the coming months, and there are said to be no signs of dissatisfaction or frustration from the player, who simply wants more playing time.

Just in March this year, a huge mural of Estevao appeared on the wall of a building outside Stamford Bridge, when the youngster looked set to become Chelsea's leading star.

However, this summer Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers for a club-record £117 million, forming a powerful attacking trio with Palmer and Joao Pedro, and Estevao's leading position in the club's external promotion may have changed.

But inside Stamford Bridge, nothing has changed. Estevao remains one of Chelsea's star young players and is part of the club's 'untouchable' group, alongside Palmer, Rogers and Pedro. Sources say the club plans to offer Estevao a new improved contract in the coming months.

The 19-year-old winger was once called 'Little Messi'. He now has untouchable status within Chelsea, and his next challenge is to secure a regular starting role and make it difficult for the coach to leave him out.

Xabi Alonso uses a three-centre-back system, with Palmer and Rogers operating behind a lone striker as two attacking midfielders. Estevao may not be the perfect fit for this formation, but the Brazilian youngster has certainly not been marginalised, and the Chelsea manager has said the team needs tactical flexibility.

In the away match against Arsenal, Alonso adjusted his tactics and placed three attackers behind Pedro. Although Pedro Neto started as the right winger, the Spanish coach's initial tactical framework is not fixed, which is undoubtedly positive news for Estevao.

The mural may have disappeared, but Estevao remains one of Chelsea's global brand ambassadors. If he watched the club's announcement video for its new front-of-shirt sponsor, he would have seen footage of his celebration after scoring a late equaliser against Liverpool last October.

Against Arsenal last time out, Estevao came off the bench and was lively, with a brilliant curling effort that almost helped Chelsea equalise and take a point. He hopes Alonso will give him a second starting opportunity in Wednesday night's League Cup match against Leeds United.

Hull City will visit Stamford Bridge this weekend for a Premier League match, giving Estevao another chance to convince Alonso that against a side which does not dominate possession and defends deep, Chelsea can remove one centre-back and use his individual dribbling ability.

"Estevao is ready and training very well," Alonso said. "In the last match, his impact after coming on was excellent. He had a great chance. He is fully integrated into the team, and his attitude every day is very good. One hundred percent, he will have an important role. He is in a stage of adapting quickly and continuing to learn. The season is long."

In December last year at Elland Road against Leeds United, former Chelsea manager Maresca described the match afterwards as Estevao's 'Premier League introduction lesson'. Chelsea lost 1-3, with the youngster receiving a yellow card before being substituted at half-time.

Maresca had seriously underestimated the intensity of the Leeds United-Chelsea match at the time, and Estevao was not prepared for that type of contest. It was not his fault. But when Farke's team visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, he already knows what kind of test he will face.

This is Estevao's second season since arriving in England, and his adaptation is reportedly progressing well. His English continues to improve, and his family often accompanies him at club events. Estevao naturally spends more time with compatriot Joao Pedro and Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking teammates, but he is also said to fit into other groups within the squad.

If he needs advice and guidance, he can now seek help from players such as Henderson, Welbeck and Damian Martinez. Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva had a significant influence on Estevao during the early stages of his career.

Sources have found no signs that he has become dissatisfied or frustrated, only the desire shared by all ambitious players to play as many matches as possible.

The current focus from the outside world is on Palmer, Rogers and Pedro. But Chelsea fans have not forgotten Estevao's goals and performances against Liverpool and Barcelona last season, and in the match against Barcelona his display even surpassed Yamal's.

A hamstring injury ruled him out of Brazil's World Cup squad, but Chelsea believe Estevao's performances after recovering from the injury will shine even brighter than before the setback. If that proves true, his image may soon appear on more building walls again.