ESPN Brazil provide fresh Estevao update amid doubt over World Cup participation

The Brazilian Football Confederation have practically ruled out Estevao participating at the World Cup this summer according to reports.

It was reported Estevao suffered a grade four hamstring tear in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United last month.

Interim boss Calum McFarlane has already confirmed Estevao won’t play for the Blues again this season, and the 19-year-old finished his debut campaign with eight goals and four assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.

Estevao likely to miss the World Cup with Brazil

The teenager was a shoe in for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, but this setback has cast serious doubt over his participation.

It’s believed Chelsea are reluctant to let Estevao return to Brazil for treatment, which is what his preference is thought to be.

There’s yet to be a definitive answer over Estevao’s participation at the World Cup, but ESPN Brasil via X.com have reportedly all but ruled out him featuring for the national team this summer.

The report adds Estevao is the top goalscorer under Ancelotti and was viewed as the player who would “surprise” the world at the tournament according to technical staff.

Barcelona have reportedly made initial contact over a possible summer move for Joao Pedro, with the Brazilian identified as an alternative to Julian Alvarez.

Pedro joined Chelsea last summer, and has scored 19 goals in all competitions so far in his first season, with 14 of those in the league.

It’s thought two of Chelsea’s current crop of strikers will leave the club this summer, with Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap both attracting interest.