Chelsea’s team for tonight is yet to be released, and one of the big questions will be about whether young winger Estevao Willian starts.
He was expected to play against Charlton at the weekend. The fact that he was left out of that game has made people wonder if that means he’s in line to start against Arsenal tonight instead. Manager Liam Rosenior covered this topic in quotes picked up by the club’s official website, and while he wasn’t giving too much away, there are some hints in there.
Rosenior understands fan frustration over wonderkid
Estevao Willian in attack.
Estevao Willian in attack. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
“I understand why fans are frustrated when he’s not on the pitch because when you see him on the pitch, he does magical things,” said Rosenior.
“He’s 18 years old, he’s come from a completely different culture, a completely different way of playing, different weather, different intensity. “Protect” is one word and I agree with that, but “look after” is probably a better term. I want him to have an outstanding career. I also want him to help us win now. There’s a fine balance between the two.
“So, for me, I’m going to use him when I think it’s the right time for us as a team and he’s got a really, really good chance of starting this game. And if not in this game [against Arsenal], then against Brentford on Saturday.”
It sounds to us like he will be left out tonight because of Arsenal’s menacing physical threat. But will then start this weekend.
In other news…
Chelsea come into tonight’s game with a lot of pressure on them. They’re still in 4 cup competitions, but won’t be much longer if they get a bad result tonight. Winger Pedro Neto has said they have to believe that they can win these things – nobody else is going to dream for them.
Matt Law’s update on the likes of James and Gusto was interesting reading – and he also noted that another option was soon coming online for Rosenior as an almost forgotten summer signing gradually gets up to speed.
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