Xabi Alonso has said that Estevao Willian will get his games and his minutes for Chelsea but admitted that the teenager is not the happiest member of his squad. The head coach was questioned extensively about the winger during his media obligations on Friday afternoon.
Alonso had already accepted on Wednesday night that Estevao “could be happier” as he sat out the Carabao Cup shootout loss at Anfield as an unused substitute. But he has now said that the 19-year-old will play an important part in the squad and will get some playing time throughout the season.
The statistics are disappointing for the winger, who was so remarkable for the Blues last season. He has only played 172 minutes out of 990 available in all competitions this season. The teenager has not started a single Premier League game and has come in as a substitute in all six games he has played in the top flight. He has started twice this season, both games being in the Carabao Cup against Luton Town and Leeds United.
Alonso has said it has nothing to do with the Brazilian’s attitude. He said Estevao’s “training and his attitude has been good”, and the winger is only recently back from the hamstring injury that cost him the 2026 World Cup. The problem is further up the pitch, where Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Morgan Rogers have been the first choices ahead of Estevao. Alonso also dismissed any chance of a January loan, saying that there have been no conversations.
The lack of European football has left far fewer minutes to go round. They are only playing in the Premier League and FA Cup now, after being knocked out of the League Cup on Wednesday. Last season Estevao scored eight goals in 36 games, including a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool and a brilliant solo goal against Barcelona.
What Enzo Maresca Said About Estevao at Chelsea
It was a completely different story eleven months ago, as he was fairly regular in the side for Enzo Maresca and scored in a famous win against Barcelona. The Italian was asked extensively how he compares to Lamine Yamal, but he insisted he just wants Estevao to be happy.
Maresca said prior to the Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge:
“He is going to be for sure an important player for this club. For the future, no doubt. He has to be happy. He has not to think about being better than this player or the other player. He has just to be better than himself day by day. Try to work hard, improve.”
Both managers have used the same word to describe Estevao’s importance to the club. However, one was picking him for the biggest nights while the other is promising him playing time in the future.