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Chelsea could be closing in on £90m January deal
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- Chelsea could be closing in on £90m January deal
Chelsea could be closing in on £90m January deal
Chelsea transfer latest on Estevao, Alex Scott and Jacobo Ramon as key decisions loom
Chelsea's squad building continues to create as many questions as answers, and one of the biggest talking points right now is the handling of Estevao Willian. According to Daily Mail, rival clubs in England and across Europe are monitoring the teenager's situation closely after another night on the bench in the Carabao Cup at Anfield.
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That detail alone will sharpen attention around Stamford Bridge. Estevao is regarded internally as one of Chelsea's elite young assets, described as among the club's "untouchables", yet his minutes under Xabi Alonso have remained limited. Against Liverpool, despite Cole Palmer being suspended and Joao Pedro injured, the 19-year-old was again overlooked as Chelsea exited after a 1-1 draw and penalty shootout.
The wider pattern is what makes this significant. In Chelsea's opening eight Premier League matches, Estevao has been used six times as a late substitute and left unused twice. For a player with such a reputation, and with Brazil already leaning on him internationally, that naturally invites scrutiny from outside the club.
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Estevao situation drawing rival interest
The report makes clear that Estevao's lack of action is "not the result of a fall-out, and purely down to tactical and technical decisions". That is an important distinction. There is no suggestion of unrest behind the scenes, but there is clear curiosity elsewhere about how Chelsea intend to develop one of the most gifted teenagers in world football.
Alonso's thinking appears fairly specific. He does not view Estevao as a wing-back in the current 3-4-2-1 shape, and instead sees him as a winger who can drift inside, broadly the kind of role Palmer occupies. There is also the physical adaptation process. Chelsea's manager has pointed towards the demands of the Premier League, while still indicating that more opportunities should arrive later in the campaign.
That may be logical in football terms, but it does not completely quieten the noise. Supporters were singing Estevao's name at Anfield while he remained on the bench, a reminder that excitement around his arrival has quickly turned into impatience. It is also notable that Carlo Ancelotti has continued to back him for Brazil, despite his restricted club minutes. The forward has six goals in 14 senior international appearances, and Ancelotti has already underlined his commitment to the player's progress.
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For now, Chelsea's position looks firm. Estevao is under a long contract into the 2030s and there is no sign of any immediate shift. Yet the combination of elite talent, limited usage and external admiration means this is a story that will keep moving.
Alex Scott race pointing towards Chelsea
Another major development concerns Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott. As reported, "Sources at rival clubs believe Chelsea will end up winning the race" for the 23-year-old, with a deal potentially advancing even before the January window opens.
The suggested valuation is striking. "The word is a fee of around £90m would be expected to be enough," even though Bournemouth are thought to be holding out publicly for more than £100m. That kind of gap often leaves room for negotiation, and there is a growing sense around the market that Chelsea are positioning themselves strongly.
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Scott's situation is being shaped by Bournemouth's form as much as anything. Marco Rose's side have won five in a row in all competitions, and the feeling is that stronger results make a winter exit easier to contemplate. Had their league position been under threat, the stance may have been different. As it stands, there is a suggestion that Bournemouth could be more flexible if the numbers align.
Liverpool have checked on Scott as well, but the report indicates Chelsea's interest has been more substantial. There is also a suspicion among some clubs that Bournemouth would welcome a bidding contest, particularly around a player who is understood to be open to moving on.
For Chelsea, Scott fits the broader strategy, young, high-upside, Premier League-proven, and capable of growing in value. Whether they go as high as £90m remains to be seen, but the market expectation appears to be drifting in their direction.
Jacobo Ramon remains on Chelsea shortlist
Chelsea are also continuing to track Como defender Jacobo Ramon, who is impressing in Italy. The 21-year-old centre-back is attracting attention from several clubs, with Arsenal and Manchester United also linked.
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There are complications. Real Madrid hold a 50 per cent sell-on clause and an unspecified buy-back clause, both of which could influence any negotiation. Chelsea's admiration, though, is not new and does not stem only from Alonso's presence. Their interest dates back to January, when Ramon was considered alongside Jeremy Jacquet and Marcos Senesi on a defensive shortlist.
That context matters. Chelsea's recruitment team had already done significant groundwork before Alonso arrived, even if his previous work with Ramon in Madrid's youth setup adds another layer to the story.
Elsewhere, there were a few notable operational details in the report. Romeo Lavia completed a full 90 minutes in a competitive match for Chelsea for the first time, a positive step after concerns over what Alonso had previously called a "mental block" linked to his injury history. The club have also held internal sessions on career-ending insurance and are recruiting a physical performance coach, with a brief that includes goalkeeper-specific work.
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It is hard not to feel conflicted about Estevao. The excitement is obvious, the talent is obvious, and hearing that other clubs are already watching his situation only increases the urgency. If he is truly one of the "untouchables", then Chelsea need to start showing it in a way everyone can see. Patience is fine, caution is understandable, but special players need meaningful minutes, not cameos and bench duty while matches drift by.
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There is still trust in Alonso's judgement because elite managers often take the longer view with young attackers. If he believes Estevao needs time physically and tactically, that deserves some respect. But there also has to be a pathway. Chelsea supporters can accept a plan, they just need evidence that one exists.
On Alex Scott, this feels far more straightforward. He looks like the sort of midfielder who could raise the technical level, carry the ball under pressure and help the side control games better. £90m is a huge figure, but the profile makes sense and the age profile fits perfectly.
Jacobo Ramon is another one worth watching. Chelsea need depth and quality at centre-back, especially with so much football ahead. The key now is balance. Add the right pieces, trust the right young players, and this squad starts to look far more complete than uncertain.
Source: Daily Mail
