Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he will allow Estevao Willian to develop with the national team despite the young winger’s concerningly limited involvement at Chelsea.

As expected, Joao Pedro will miss international duty with Brazil again due to a thigh injury he sustained in Chelsea training. Estevao, meanwhile, has made the cut.

Ancelotti named the Chelsea winger in his 26-man Brazil squad for November’s international friendlies against Japan and Singapore.

This is hardly a surprise given Estevao’s potential and his strong performance in the last international break for Brazil. He started in two of Brazil’s three friendlies in this period and even got on the scoresheet in the 4-0 win over India.

However, it was perhaps inevitable that Ancelotti still faced questions about Estevao’s selection and his situation at Chelsea.

“What we expect from him is that he can show all the qualities he has, and our plan for him is very clear to us,” the Italian said in Thursday’s press conference when asked about Estevao.

“Even if he doesn’t play a minute for Chelsea, we will keep an eye on him until the day we think he’s no longer useful for the national team.

“But as long as we think he’s useful for the national team, we will be with him, giving him the opportunity to progress normally, the way a 19-year-old like him should progress.

“These are different goals from what he has at Chelsea.”

Estevao has played 172 minutes across eight appearances (two starts) in all competitions for Chelsea this season. Since the international break, he has only been on the pitch for 24 minutes.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso recently argued that Estevao is still in his second season at Stamford Bridge and would eventually get more chances in “really intense” Premier League games.

Obviously, Ancelotti’s faith in Estevao benefits all parties, including Chelsea. The teenager clearly needs to get more minutes under his belt, which Chelsea have not been able to provide.

However, the longer the situation continues, the more doubts Estevao will have about his future at the club.

A recent report from the Daily Mail claimed that several clubs from the Premier League and in Europe are showing interest in Estevao’s situation at Chelsea.

As it stands, though, Estevao is under a long contract with Chelsea until 2033. Alonso also made it clear that there have been “no discussions” about loaning the winger to another club in the January window.

Alonso himself is aware that Estevao is not too happy about his situation.

“It's no secret that all players want to be on the pitch,” the Chelsea manager admitted in Friday’s press conference when asked about Estevao.

“They want to be playing, and when any of them haven't had enough minutes because of my decision, I have to take the responsibility for that, that they are not as happy as they could be. 

“But, as well, everyone has to be ready because in any game they could be important; they could be part of the team, and Este, his training and his attitude have been good.”

Alonso added: “Sure, he will play. The season is long, and there will be moments for everyone.

“It's a process for the team, for Este, for myself, but I'm sure that in the season he will have his games, his minutes.”

For now, Estevao can only be patient, continue working hard in training, and hope that Alonso delivers on his words. Strong international displays with Brazil could help convince Alonso to give him more minutes as well.

Chelsea will play two more games, against Manchester United this weekend and Sunderland next week, before Estevao is expected to fly to Singapore for the Brazil training camp.