Chelsea will have to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup without Cole Palmer, who is suspended for the tie. That creates an opportunity for Estevao, and Xabi Alonso should take full advantage of it.

If the Brazilian delivers a strong performance, he deserves a sustained run in the side rather than being limited to a single appearance. So far, he has largely been left out in the cold by the Spanish manager, receiving the occasional five or 10 minutes here and there. For a player with his talent, that is hardly enough time to make a meaningful impression on the game.

Palmer is the player Chelsea’s attacks predominantly flow through, so finding someone capable of filling that creative void is no easy task. However, Estevao has already demonstrated that he can influence games, and Wednesday’s tie offers him the perfect opportunity to prove he deserves a bigger role in Alonso’s plans.

His recent starts for Brazil showed his range, with an appearance on the right against Australia followed by a central role against India. That experience of playing in different positions suits a team that needs creativity in the middle of the pitch without its main creator.

Against Liverpool, Estevao will need to show his adaptability by exploiting the space left behind by an advancing left-back or finding pockets of space in the central midfield. If he can receive the ball in these areas and drive at the defence, he has the quality to cause Andoni Iraola’s side plenty of problems.

A cup tie is also the best setting for the experiment. The pressure is lower than in the league, but the opposition, Liverpool, is strong enough to make the performance meaningful. If Estevao shows composure on the ball, runs at defenders and links play with the forwards, Alonso will have evidence that he can trust him in bigger games.

There is a longer-term point as well. Chelsea’s attack depends heavily on Palmer, and the team has looked less fluid when he is not in form, as seen in the Tottenham fixture. Developing a second reliable creative option protects the side against future absences and dips, and Estevao has the talent to be that player.

The risk is minimal. A quiet game costs little in a cup tie, while a strong one would strengthen his case immediately. 

Alonso gets to find out what Estevao can offer, and Estevao gets to show he is more than just a five-minute cameo merchant. A convincing performance should earn him a place in the team, rather than another spell of watching from the bench and wondering what he has to do to get a game.