Merson hits out at Alonso
Merson hits out at Alonso's decision - Source: Getty
Paul Merson believes Xabi Alonso got his team selection wrong in Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, and the former Arsenal man has picked out the call that cost the Blues on Sunday.
Sunderland started the day bottom of the Premier League on five points. Alonso still left Estevao on the bench at the Stadium of Light, bringing Jordan Henderson into a three-man midfield. The Black Cats won the game through Enzo Le Fee’s first-half penalty after Levi Colwill was judged to have brought Brian Brobbey down.
Writing in his Sky Sports column, Merson said Alonso showed the bottom side too much respect:
"I thought Xabi Alonso played into Sunderland’s hands, if I’m being honest. He went there and showed them a little bit more respect than what I thought he should have.
"They were bottom of the league with five points, and they were bottom of the league with five points for a reason."
What worried Merson more was the absence of Estevao, a week after the Brazilian impressed in his first Premier League start of the season in the 2-0 win over Manchester United. He added:
"But all of a sudden, they go to Sunderland and he’s not playing. And he was missed. He’s someone who can take the ball up the pitch for them.
"Alonso had to pick Estevao, play the same team they put out against Man Utd and get him to run with the ball. Instead, he tried to make it tight, and make sure they don’t get beat over winning the game."
Estevao came on at half-time for Colwill, with Moises Caicedo dropping into the back line. However, Chelsea never found an equaliser. It was their fourth league defeat in 10 games.
Chelsea have now lost three of their first five away games, something they had not done since 2015-16, and Merson warned that missing out on the Champions League would be a massive failure for the club.
What next for Estevao amid Chelsea transfer rumors?
Estevao's lack of minutes has attracted attention from elsewhere. TEAMtalk reported in November that Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City were watching the situation, with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich reportedly making enquiries.
Notably, the same report said Chelsea are not entertaining an exit, while AS claimed the club want to reward him with a new contract rather than sell in January.
Alonso has been firm on the subject. Asked before the United game about a January loan, he said:
"No, no, no. No discussions about that."
After the Sunderland game, the Blues' coach said Colwill’s yellow card was part of the reason for the change. Chelsea next face Leeds after the international break.