Chelsea v Leeds United - Carabao Cup Third Round
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Estevao remained an unused substitute in the penalty-shootout defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday. It is another chapter in the growing uncertainty surrounding the Chelsea star’s role under Xabi Alonso.
Estevao has amassed less than 50 minutes in the Premier League this season, excluding injury time. He has started two games, both in the Carabao Cup and against Leeds; the winger was hooked at half-time.
Can you remember a worse performance than Wesley Fofana's vs Liverpool? Tell us your ratings in the comments 👇
To be fair to Alonso i think it is hard to break up the normal front 3. Yes, Estevao is exciting going forward but I don't think he likes the physicality of the EPL and does not track back or table which leaves us exposed. That being said, why not give him the last 20 mins to try and change the game?
I didn't think Fofana was that bad during the game as we looked pretty solid during the game. However, it was his handball to concede the penalty and I'm sure if I step outside and hold my hands up I could catch the ball from his horrendous penalty.
How not to kick a ball. Tnx for that Forfana.
To Chelsea fans, it feels like Alonso does not rate Estevao, like he doesn’t trust Estevao. On Wednesday night, after snubbing Estevao and leaving him on the bench, Alonso gave reasons for overlooking him.
He said: “The game had very intense moments; we knew that it was going to be physical,” suggesting Estevao would not be able to deal with that. He also explained how Chelsea were forced into three subs.
READ MORE: Maxence Lacroix injury should have Chelsea fans really concerned, Alonso too
Why is Alonso not using Estevao: Here is a possible explanation
Moises Caicedo had a little problem, according to Alonso. Malo Gusto had cramps, and Maxence Lacroix had to come off early, replaced by Levi Colwill. Reasons for not using him last night, but not all season.
It’s actually driving a wedge between Alonso and Chelsea’s supporters. Fans want to trust Alonso, they like him, but as this TalkingPoints user explains, Estevao is becoming an issue turning fans against him.
Yep out of the cup because our super star in Estevao didn’t start the game or even come on as sub the boy’s got goals in him but leaves him on the bench 🤔🤷♂️ don’t understand it. Alonso needed to change it up in the first half another game he got wrong shame. #UPTHE CHELS
So, is Alonso right to use Estevao the way he is? Or are Chelsea fans right to think Estevao deserves more game time? Estevao himself certainly thinks so. He wants sit-down talks with Chelsea’s manager.
Since Estevao joined Chelsea, the 14-time Brazil international has played 44 times – scoring eight goals and laying on six assists. Chelsea have scored more goals when Estevao isn’t on the pitch, since he joined.
Season Chelsea goals With him on pitch With him off pitch
2025–26 109 50 59
2026–27 26 2 24
Total 135 52 83
Even more damning is that Chelsea have averaged 2.52 goals per 90 minutes when Estevao is off the pitch, and just 1.68 when he’s on it. Ultimately, Chelsea are more dangerous when Estevao isn’t playing.
Alonso may simply feel Chelsea are more dangerous without Estevao, and the stats back him up. But that does not give reason for excluding him completely, especially when Chelsea are in search of a goal.
What is wrong with Xabi, why is he so against bring Estevoa on when we so desperately need creative flair and directness, hus in fame management so far has been poor in the past two games. He needs to look at what we have avalibke and start using the players like Estevoa because this is not great.
Chelsea fans just want to see Alonso give Estevao a chance
Against Arsenal, he came incredibly close to an equaliser. Yet at Anfield, Alonso decided to bring on an untested Emmanuel Emegha, who ultimately missed a penalty in the shootout with the chance to win.
Another TalkingPoints user explained that Wednesday night was a good chance to use him, but if the gaffer continues to snub Estevao, he has a chance of losing him. Barcelona are lurking, as per reports.
Alonso di somehow arrogant or stupid why is he not starting Estevao….. the game against Liverpool was his chance but he decided not to give the kid his debut why does he hate the kid . Chelsea might lose his services if Alonso continues to bench him
Last season, among Chelsea’s seven attackers (Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens, Pedro Neto and Estevao), Estevao was third-best for goals per minute, from out wide.
He averaged a goal every 210 minutes, scoring eight in 1678 minutes of football. Palmer averaged a goal every 195 minutes, and Pedro scored every 184 minutes. That should show Alonso he has plenty to offer.
Chelsea fans and those not behind the scenes do not know every detail. Perhaps it is simply down to formation. But fans are not asking for Estevao to start every game; but he deserves more game time.