Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Everyone of a Chelsea persuasion felt elation when the full-time whistle blew on Wednesday night as Xabi Alonso’s side came from behind to beat Leeds United. Well, almost everyone.
Chelsea were 1-0 down at half-time and 2-0 behind shortly after. But they came back from two goals down to win 6-3, after Xabi Alonso made four half-time changes that ultimately made the difference.
It sees Alonso make Chelsea history – the most goals scored in a manager’s first five games as Chelsea gaffer. The Blues have scored 16 in the first five outings, three more than Luiz Filipe Scolari’s side in 2008.
Cole Palmer and Danny Welbeck got two goals each, Pedro Neto scored his second this season, Valentin Barco netted his first goal for Chelsea, and Morgan Rogers got three assists. Good news all round, right?
READ MORE:The duel-winning monster that will have convinced Alonso he can be trusted
Estevao cannot be happy with Xabi Alonso after all the noise
Going into Leeds, reports said Estevao was not happy with his game time. He is concerned he will have to convert to playing as a wing-back, and does not want to make the physical changes required to do that.
Just 16 minutes of Premier League football has been afforded to Estevao, with Alonso preferring not to use a system that incorporates wingers. But on Wednesday, Estevao started for Chelsea against Leeds.
Chelsea v Leeds United - Carabao Cup Third Round
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
He needed to perform to show Alonso what he can do. But with Chelsea losing at the break, he and Jamie Gittens were among the players hooked. After everything that has happened, he cannot be impressed.
Certainly, Estevao did not get the chance to shine. While it was on the Brazilian for not standing out in the first half, he was robbed of the opportunity to impress alongside Chelsea’s best. He cannot be happy.
Chelsea’s stance on Estevao remains the same; he is ‘untouchable’
During the summer, it was reported that Chelsea had seven ‘untouchables’ aside from signings. With Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Reece James, Josh Acheampong, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill, there is Estevao.
Estevao Willian's minutes
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
But amid all the noise, the lack of a pathway into Alonso’s XI when it comes to the Premier League, being hooked at half-time against Leeds will have seen Estevao on the phone to his agent at full-time.
It cannot go on like this. Something has to give, whether Chelsea decide to sell on for a big profit – which they will get – or find a way to get him into the team remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, though.
Estevao is not going to be a happy camper in the Chelsea changing room at the moment, and something needs to happen. Whether that be a sale, a loan, a new contract or a change in role, it has to happen fast.