Chelsea suffer fresh blow as Estevao injury diagnosis puts World Cup hopes in doubt

The Brazilian was forced off in the 17th minute of his side’s 1-0 loss to Man Utd on Saturday (PA)

Chelsea have been dealt another injury blow as scans confirmed the extent of the hamstring issue suffered by Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian, with the 18-year-old set to miss the rest of the club season and potentially the 2026 World Cup.

Estevao was forced off just 17 minutes into the 1-0 loss to Man Utd last weekend after pulling up with what appeared to be a hamstring issue, and subsequent scans have confirmed a strain, according to The Athletic.

The Brazilian has reportedly suffered a “grade four hamstring injury” and will miss Chelsea’s remaining four matches of the Premier League season, as well as the FA Cup final if the Blues manage to qualify. It is an issue that has plunged the club further into chaos on the day that the dismissal of manager Liam Rosenior was also announced.

The former Blues boss revealed that Estevao was in tears after being forced off against Man Utd, saying “it was really devastating” for the winger.

“It looks like it's his hamstring and that has happened in a moment when he's running through on their goal for a one-v-one chance – he pulls his hamstring in that moment. I hope Este comes back sooner rather than later,” Rosenior said at the time.