Chelsea face Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday without Estevao, after Calum McFarlane confirmed a season-ending injury for the forward. The setback also places Estevao’s place in Brazil’s World Cup squad in doubt, with Brazil due to start their Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13.

Estevao has enjoyed a busy debut season with Chelsea, featuring in 36 matches across all competitions. The forward has scored eight goals and delivered three assists. In the FA Cup alone, Estevao has been directly involved in three goals, with two goals and one assist in three appearances, underlining the absence Chelsea must now manage.

The injury occurred during Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United last weekend, when Estevao pulled up after a sprint down the wing in the first half. The 19-year-old had already missed games in December and March because of muscle problems. Those earlier absences, combined with the current setback, have created significant concern for both Chelsea and Brazil’s national staff.

Estevao’s workload and output this season help explain the disappointment around the situation at Stamford Bridge. The forward had become a regular option in attack and contributed to Chelsea’s progress in domestic cups. The following table outlines Estevao’s numbers for Chelsea this season across competitions, including the FA Cup.

McFarlane described the news as a major blow for a young player still adjusting to English football. “Estevao, unfortunately, won’t play for us this season,” said McFarlane. “He’s going to be out for a little bit of time. That’s really unfortunate, especially for someone so young and so talented. But we’re here to support him and be around him.

McFarlane accepted that Estevao’s World Cup chances remain unclear. “I’m not sure [about the World Cup], if I’m honest. I just know he won’t be available for us. I’m sure he’s very hopeful he can make the World Cup, but I don’t know on that.” The medical guidance around the forward’s recovery timeline remains undisclosed.

Chelsea’s broader form adds further pressure before the FA Cup semi-final, with the club winning just once in the last eight fixtures across all competitions. That single victory came in the FA Cup and was followed by the dismissal of Liam Rosenior. Chelsea’s cup run has included wins over Wrexham, Hull City and Charlton Athletic, plus a 7-0 home victory against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.

Historically, Chelsea have been regular contenders in the FA Cup. The club has now reached the semi-finals 28 times, a figure bettered only by Manchester United with 32 and Arsenal with 30. The meeting with Leeds United at Wembley Stadium therefore carries both tradition and expectation, as Chelsea aim to extend their record and reach another final.

McFarlane also addressed the league defeat to Brighton on Tuesday, which followed the managerial change and further highlighted inconsistency. “The performance wasn’t good enough. Everyone associated with the club knows that, the players know that,” added the interim boss. “I thought Brighton were very good on the night, and I don’t think they got enough credit. They’re a really good side with a really good manager. Our performance wasn’t good enough, and we’re going to address that on Sunday and make sure we perform to the level we know this group is capable of.”

Estevao’s injury, Chelsea’s uneven form and Brazil’s looming World Cup opener combine to shape a tense period for the club and country. The FA Cup semi-final at Wembley offers Chelsea a chance to change momentum, but they must now do so without one of the season’s most productive attacking players.