Estevao would miss the League Cup semi-final against Arsenal

Liam Rosenior has refused to put a timetable on Estevao’s return to Chelsea after being granted compassionate leave to travel to his native Brazil.

The 18-year-old will miss Tuesday’s League Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal in a blow to the Blues’ chances of overturning a 3-2 deficit.

«He is going through a very difficult time for personal reasons, he is on medical leave,» Rosenior said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

«I won’t put any pressure on it. It has to be good for him and he has to feel like he is in the right place to perform.»

Chelsea came from 2-0 down to record a dramatic 3-2 win over West Ham United on Saturday and maintained a positive start to Rosenior’s reign.

READ | Enzo Fernandez hits the winner as Chelsea beat West Ham 3-2 in a comeback win

He has won six of his seven games since replacing Enzo Maresca, with the only defeat coming against Arsenal in the first leg three weeks ago.

Rosenior needed a huge impact from his substitutes to turn the game around against West Ham after changing his starting line-up following a grueling 3-2 win over Napoli last week.

And he stressed that he will have to continue to rotate, with Chelsea still involved in four competitions.

“I don’t have a best 11,” he added. “I’ve never done that at all the clubs I’ve worked with.

“The physical demands of the Premier League, Ligue 1 or the Championship now require a squad. You have to deploy the players in the right way to challenge over the course of the season.”

“I’m trying to pick the right starting team, but I’m also trying to pick a bench that will also give us the right finishing team.

«So far in every game we’ve played, the substitutes have had a huge impact. It’s not my tactical stuff. It’s their mentality to step up and help the team.»

Published on February 2, 2026