Estevao has been included in the substitutes list for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup fourth-round clash away at Liverpool on Wednesday evening. Despite four changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge, the Brazilian winger has again been left out of the starting line-up.
Penders has been kept in goal behind a back four of Acheampong, Lacroix, Fofana and Malo Gusto, who makes his 100th start for the club. Caicedo captains the side alongside Lavia and Henderson in midfield. Neto and Rogers provided support to Welbeck up front while Estevao was named among the substitutes. He sits on the bench with Colwill, Palestra, Barco, Quenda, Sharman-Lowe, Subuloye, Nicoll-Jazuli and Emmanuel Emegha, who is yet to make his debut for the club.
The news comes as a surprise, as Estevao had been the one constant in the starting line-up for this competition. The teenager started both previous rounds of the competition, earning a supporters’ Player of the Match award for his performance in the 2-0 victory over Luton Town in August. However, he was substituted at half-time during the 6-3 comeback win over Leeds United. Estevao has only been on the pitch for 47 minutes in the Premier League this season, and has been surprised by how little he has been involved under the new head coach.
Xabi Alonso Explains How He is Handling Frustrated Players
The omission follows Alonso’s comments last week about how he is handling players who have not been playing regularly. Alonso admitted the squad was frustrated but said it was inevitable.
He said there would be moments for everyone and that he understood players being disappointed after a few games out. Managing them, he said, was “not rocket science”. He added that the group was training well, that the daily dynamic was good, and that he was confident whoever had to play would be ready.
Palmer’s suspension and João Pedro’s injury have left Alonso with less room to rotate in the cup. The Blues have used 25 players in the Premier League this season, only topped by Crystal Palace. However, they are one of only 5 teams still yet to score from a substitute. The Blues return to league action against Manchester United, and with the January window around the corner, Estevao’s situation may be revisited.