On what has already been a tough week, and month for the club, another serious blow has been handed just to make things somehow even worse
On Tuesday evening, Chelsea were defeated 3-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion, to make it five straight league defeats without scoring a goal for the first time in well over 100 years.
The starting XI was a disaster from the start, particularly with the absences of Estevao, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, who all missed the game through injury. This has fans sweating over their availability both for the Leeds United game this weekend, and the run in to try and secure Champions League football.
Well, one player who we now know won't be available for the rest of the season is Brazilian winger Estevao. Indeed, as The Athletic are this afternoon reporting that the teenager has suffered a grade 4 hamstring injury.
For context, a grade 4 hamstring can often leave a player out of action for 3-6 months, and could potentially require surgery. For example, Kevin De Bruyne picked up a hamstring injury back in late October, and did not return until March.
We knew that the Brazilian would be out for a couple of weeks, with some suggesting he would be out for 15-20 days. However, that now looks like a pipe dream compared to these new reports.
So, assuming they are accurate, this would mean that Estevao will almost certainly miss the World Cup with Brazil in North America this summer. A very tough one to take. The 18-year old had already become a big part of Carlo Ancelotti's side, scoring against Chile, South Korea (twice), Senegal and Tunisia in the autumn of last year, whilst establishing himself in the XI.
As for Chelsea, well this leaves them without one of their best attackers for the rest of the season. Sure, sometimes he has been hit and miss this season, but generally for his age he has been playing at a very good level. That, and he is simply better than the other attacking options.
Just look at the other options on the right hand side. This almost certainly means that Pedro Neto will be playing there now, with Alejandro Garnacho on the other side. We know that Palmer is currently sidelined, and has been in poor form of late. Though, you would rather him there than Neto, even if he is a nominal number ten.
Poor guy. You have to just feel really sorry for him. We are really getting to that time of the season where as soon as a player gets injured, you think of the World Cup. Speedy recovery.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!