Xabi Alonso will be keeping tabs on the Chelsea players currently away on international duty.
Estêvão of Brazil reacts during the International Friendly between Brazil and Senegal at Emirates Stadium on November 15, 2025 in London, England
Estevao Willian has a point to prove.(Image: Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
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Many of the Chelsea players who have reported for international duty will have a point to prove to Xabi Alonso over the next couple of weeks as they hope to cement a place in the starting lineup.
Although the Blues manager appears to already view four players as untouchable, having each started every Premier League game possible this season, there are plenty of opportunities still up for grabs as he looks to find the winning formula.
Before the international break, Alonso identified areas of improvement he plans to address, outlining exactly what he wants to see from his players. Reflecting on a sour end to the honeymoon period, the Chelsea boss said: "I would say that we have dropped our consistency, our competitive mentality needed in the second half.
"We know that the small details can be decisive. We don't have to give [an] advantage in these kind of games. What they do with little, they get a lot, and credit to them.
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"So to be able to understand the game, to know what it takes to be competing until the end, it's something that is a process, it takes time for them to feel it, and at the moment we are not feeling it fully to compete for the whole game..."
Alonso will be desperate to return to winning ways when the Blues face Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 10 and, with only a few players nailed in the starting lineup, he could very well make wholesale changes in pursuit of a reaction from his squad.
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at five Chelsea players who have a point to prove while away on international duty.
Estevao Willian
Alonso could be left no choice but to shoehorn Estevao into the Chelsea starting lineup if he can prove he's capable of consistently performing at the very highest level while away with Brazil. With Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers unlikely to be dropped, occupying those pair of inside forward roles, the 19-year-old winger needs to show his manager why he's worth the hassle of shifting to a back-four.
There's no doubt that Estevao has the quality to be one of the first names on the teamsheet and possibly force the Blues manager to operate a 4-2-3-1, as he did at Real Madrid, but first, he must prove he can be relied upon.
Of course, with so many games in the calendar, the Brazilian will at some point play a key role for Chelsea this season. But if Estevao wants to fast-track his way into Alonso's side, then he'll need to pull his finger out during the international break.
Valentin Barco
Barco started alongside Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park at the Gtech Community Stadium last week, making his first start in the Premier League. Although Brentford enjoyed a 3-0 win over Chelsea, the scoreline didn't necessarily reflect his performance.
With Alonso keen to carefully manage the fitness of Reece James and Romeo Lavia, not to mention Moises Caicedo, who's had an injury-plagued start to the season, the new Blues midfielder has the chance to cement a place in the starting lineup.
If Barco can display his quality while away with Argentina, he could very well be one of the first names on the teamsheet when Chelsea face Bournemouth after the international break. The 22-year-old may not have a better opportunity to become an undisputed starter under Alonso.
Jorrel Hato
Hato was penalised for a schoolboy error during Chelsea's draw with Hull City, subsequently losing his place in the starting lineup for the defeat to Brentford. While away with the Netherlands, he'll hope to catch Alonso's eye and displace Pep Chavarria after the international break.
Geovany Quenda
Quenda has only played about half an hour for Chelsea this season, so he'll be keen to prove to Alonso that he deserves to finally start a game. The Blues winger, who can also play wing-back, was drafted by the Portugal Under-21s as they look to earn qualification to the European Championships in the summer.
Jamie Gittens
Gittens has only featured for Chelsea in the Carabao Cup this season, with his only start ending at half-time. Like Estevao and Quenda, the Blues winger faces an uphill battle in the race for minutes in Alonso's side, but he'll hope to impress for the England Under-21s.