[Scott Mason
Scott Mason](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/scott-mason)
Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at GamingINTEL and GRV Media; University of Wolverhampton graduate. FOCUS Data content, opinion, and general news coverage across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Scott utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, broad-spectrum reporting. He provides the data and opinion foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.
Chelsea have become known for stockpiling players, with minutes certainly to be fewer in a season with no Europe.
With a couple of them forced rather than rotated.
However, one of those rotated changes bore plenty of fruit, with Alonso now told to ponder over his formation.
Chelsea's Estevao gives Xabi Alonso a tactical headache
Alonso has been utilising both a four-at-the-back formation and a three-back formation.
The Brazilian is a winger who thrives on taking his man on rather than being an inside number 10, with fans desperate to see him develop.
With injury to Joao Pedro, Estevao was handed a rare start against Manchester United, and he made quite the point.
BBC Match of the Day pundit Danny Murphy stated: "Ultimately, he has got to be used more."
The winger created the joint-most chances (three), had the most touches in the opposition box (12) and took the most shots (six).
The 19-year-old could have also had a goal of his own in the 2-0 win, but a marginal offside would have gone against him.
Overall, it was an excellent performance, and a statement by the young South American as to why he does deserve more minutes.
How does Xabi Alonso fit Estevao in?
Fitting Estevao into this Chelsea team could prove tough if the Spanish manager reverts to using a three at the back again.
The winger is far too good in the final third to be a wingback, and questions would be asked about his defending capabilities.
So, realistically, he would have to try and adapt to being one of the two wide number 10s.
There will be an adjustment for the young attacker, with him needing to play between the centre-back and fullback rather than one-versus-one against the latter.
However, at 19 years old, Estevao has plenty of time on his side to learn a new role, and that will not only make him a better player, but a more well-rounded attacker as well.