Estêvão Willian will start his first Premier League game of the season for Chelsea as they take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The Brazilian will partner Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers in an attack without a recognised striker, but fans have been pushing for him over the last two months.
Prior to today, Estêvão had yet to start a league game since his new head coach arrived. He has played just six Premier League games totalling 47 minutes, coming off the bench every time. Alonso confirmed during his press conference on Friday that the youngster will have his chance. He also confirmed that there have been no conversations around a loan move.
A long injury list means that João Pedro, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, Maxence Lacroix, Jamie Gittens, and Emiliano Martínez are all missing from the squad. Moisés Caicedo will wear the armband in James’s place. Roméo Lavia will join him in the centre of the park. Mike Penders continues in goal as Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, and Levi Colwill make up the back three. Marco Palestra and Pedro Neto will play in the wing-back positions, completing the 3-4-2-1 system that Alonso likes to play.
Hasselbaink Wanted A Fourth Attacker in Chelsea Starting Lineup
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has pushed for a fourth attacker to be added to the Blues’ front line. The Dutchman couldn’t understand why the most exciting young attacker in the squad wasn’t playing. Chelsea fans would make the same point weeks later, chanting Estêvão’s name at Anfield as he sat on the bench.
Hasselbaink stated:
“Don’t get me wrong, we have got up front three really good players for Chelsea in Pedro, Palmer and Rogers, but why can we not have four?”
He certainly wasn’t the only one. BBC Radio 5 Live pundits Clinton Morrison and Jobi McAnuff questioned why Estêvão wasn’t brought on against Liverpool on Wednesday evening. Fans have also started petitions to get the Brazilian onto the pitch. Alonso’s answer has now come in a far stronger form than words, as Estêvão starts against Manchester United.