Twelve months ago, Estevao was the name on every Premier League fan's lips. His stoppage-time winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge made him an overnight sensation and offered a tantalising glimpse of what Chelsea had secured when they signed him from Palmeiras. Today, that moment feels like a distant memory.

The 19-year-old has managed just 172 minutes of first-team football this season — a total that barely covers two full matches — and his situation showed no sign of improving on Wednesday night when Chelsea were eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Liverpool on penalties at Anfield.

Passed over even when the stars were absent

What made the Anfield defeat particularly damaging for Estevao's confidence was the context. Chelsea were without the suspended Cole Palmer and the injured Joao Pedro, two of their most important attacking players, yet manager Xabi Alonso still did not turn to the Brazilian.

Midway through the second half, Alonso rang the changes with a triple substitution. Among those brought on was Emanuel Emegha, who had not featured for the Blues at all since arriving from Strasbourg in the summer. Estevao, meanwhile, ended his warm-up and returned to the bench — another evening spent entirely on the periphery.

Former Crystal Palace forward Clinton Morrison did not hide his disbelief.