The 19-year-old has had to remain patient in the early weeks of the new season. He has yet to start a Premier League game but was included in the side in our last Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town and produced an impressive performance.

There have also been notable cameos off the substitutes' bench, the most recent coming against Arsenal on Sunday. Estevao was a whisker away from earning us a point at the Emirates Stadium, forcing goalkeeper David Raya into an excellent reaction stop late in the contest.

Our Brazil international could get another chance to make his mark tonight at Stamford Bridge, and Alonso has emphasised the qualities, both on and off the pitch, that make Estevao a special talent.

‘Este is ready and is training well,’ said Alonso. ‘The other day [against Arsenal] he had a very good impact and he had a great chance. He is fully involved and has a good attitude every day.

‘I count on Este 100 per cent, because of his potential and the fact that he’s so young, he is in that process of adapting and learning quickly.

‘The season is going to be long, and players that have the desire and hunger to prove and show every day they are up for the challenge is what we want – and what we want to create here in the building.

‘Este is part of it. He has a very good attitude and mentality to prepare for every game and be ready for the team.’

Alonso was also asked where he sees Estevao fitting into our line-up and whether he could be an option to slot in at wing-back when we use that shape, as Pedro Neto and other Chelsea wingers have done under the Spaniard.

‘Whether you want to call it a back three or a back four, I know what his best position is,’ Xabi added. ‘He is more like a winger, or winger coming inside from that wide role.

‘He hasn’t played that much as a wing-back, having to track back that much. If we want to see the best of Este, he plays in that winger role.’