Xabi Alonso insists Estêvão remains an important part of his plans despite limited opportunities for the young Brazilian so far.
Estevao has made brief substitute appearances in two of Chelsea's three Premier League matches, coming close to earning a draw with champions Arsenal on Sunday with a late shot that was saved by David Raya.
The 19-year-old made 12 starts in the Premier League last season and scored eight goals in all competitions under Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior.
Alonso said in quotes reported by the Evening Standard: "Este is ready, he's training well. [Against Arsenal] he had a very good impact, he has a great chance. So he's fully involved and with a very good attitude every day."
"100% [he has an important role], because of his potential, because he's so young, but he's in that process to adapt and to learn quickly. And the season is going to be long."
Asked whether he had discussed the situation with the teenager, the Chelsea boss added: "Private conversations should remain private.
"The players that have the desire and the hunger to prove and to show every day that they are up for the challenge, it's what we want to create here in the building.
"And Este is part of it. So he has had a very good attitude, very good mentality to prepare every game and to be ready for the team."
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Chelsea will look to bounce back from their first competitive loss under Alonso when they take on Leeds in the third round of the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The Blues have received a boost with the availability of defender Levi Colwill, who remained on the bench during the defeat against Arsenal because of a fitness issue.
However, Moisés Caicedo remains unavailable along with summer signings Marco Palestra, Emmanuel Emegha and Jordan Henderson.
Caicedo and Palestra are the closest to full fitness, but Alonso said on Chelsea's website: "They are still not ready to go, and it's not the moment to take an early risk. So we go game by game with them, but it's too early."
Right-back Palestra, who arrived from Atalanta in July, looked strong in preseason only to suffer an injury on the eve of the new campaign.
"It's especially [frustrating] for him," said Alonso. "He came with huge energy, huge desire to enjoy his game in the Premier League.
"He had a very good pre-season and, a few days before the first game against Fulham, he picked up an injury.
"It's part of the life of a football player to come back from injury and we will need him for sure. He has great potential and will add a lot of good qualities we need in the team."
It is the third time in four seasons that Chelsea and Leeds have clashed in cup competitions, with Chelsea coming out on top in the FA Cup in the fifth round in 2024 and the semi-finals in April.
Leeds have not won at Stamford Bridge since a 2-0 victory in the Premier League in December 1999.
