Xabi Alonso has left a Chelsea star's agent fearing that the player might struggle for regular first-team game time this season following Sunday's defeat at Arsenal
Estevao Willian
Estevao Willian is pushing for a start(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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Estevao's camp are worried that Xabi Alonso will continue to use him at right wing-back for Chelsea, it has been claimed. The 19-year-old, who joined the Blues in a £29million deal from Palmeiras last summer, made 38 appearances during his first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring eight goals and providing three assists.
But Estevao's game time has been reduced so far this term following Xabi Alonso's appointment as the club's first-team manager. Alonso has started with a three-at-the-back formation in each of his first two Premier League matches with two defensive-minded midfielders, two attacking midfielders and one centre forward.
Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, who signed for the Blues in a club record £117million deal earlier this summer, have operated in the No.10 roles with Joao Pedro up front. It has left Estevao reduced to a substitute role with him coming on for the final nine minutes plus stoppage-time in Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Arsenal.
Estevao replaced Pedro Neto, who started at right wing-back for the third straight match, and almost made an instant impact, hitting a left-footed shot which was tipped over the crossbar by David Raya. With Estevao almost drawing Chelsea level, supporters have demanded that Alonso must find a place for him in the XI.
But Tim Vickery, a South American football correspondent, has claimed that Estevao's representatives are concerned that he might not have a future in Alonso's plans, as he doesn't want to play right wing-back.
"You do wonder where he fits in Xabi Alonso 's thinking," Vickery said on the Trans Euro Express. "There was a fear that came out of his camp last week that he might have to play at right wing-back. He doesn't want to play at right wing-back. That's the opposite of what he wants to do."
Estevao in action for Chelsea against Arsenal
Estevao in action for Chelsea against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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Estevao has now played 16 minutes plus stoppage-time in the Premier League this season, after coming on as a late substitute in the 3-2 win at Fulham last month. He did, however, start and play 80 minutes on the right-hand side for the Blues in a 2-0 win against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup.
Although Estevao has become frustrated with his role, former Chelsea captain Thiago Silva recently admitted he has spoken to the forward to reassure him that he will get opportunities IF he is patient.
Silva said: "I spoke with Estevao recently. I told him, 'Don't panic because you’ve sat on the bench for a few games. You’re 19 years old at Chelsea, not 29 and running out of time.'
"He wants to play centrally. I understand that because when you watch him with the ball, you understand why. But then I told him, 'Look at who is playing there. Palmer is there, Rogers can play there. Are you asking the coach to remove them because you’re talented?'
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"At Palmeiras, everybody already knew who Estevao was. At Chelsea, he has to make them know again.
"He told me he doesn’t want to change his game or become bigger just because people say the Premier League is physical. I said, 'Good. Don’t wake up tomorrow trying to become Adama Traore.'
"That’s not why Chelsea bought him. They bought the boy who receives the ball and wants to dribble past somebody. Keep that. But also understand Xabi has to win football matches. The best young players sometimes think the manager has to find a place for them. No. Make it impossible for him not to."
Estevao is expected to start for Chelsea when they face Leeds United in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The Blues then entertain Hull City in the Premier League next weekend.