‘He could be happier’ – Alonso’s first major Chelsea dilemma explained

Analysis

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has admitted that Willian Estevao ‘could be happier’ after he was left out of the starting XI for the Carabao Cup clash against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday.

The Blues suffered defeat on penalties following a 1-1 draw, with Morgan Rogers on target for the Stamford Bridge side.

Estevao, though, was left as an unused substitute, leaving Alonso to explain the situation.

Estevao unsettled, Alonso admits

The winger has been a peripheral figure since the beginning of the season, playing just 47 minutes of Premier League football through the first eight matches of the season and starting only in the Carabao Cup.

His lack of minutes have led to rumours that PSG could make a move for him during the January transfer window in response to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s long-term injury.

Now Alonso admits that the 19-year-old is not satisfied with the current situation.

Asked about Estevao by the media, the former Real Madrid head coach admitted: “He could be happier. He wants to play. I'm sure Estevao will have his moment, it is my responsibility.

“We know the game in England is really intense, and you need to be up for it. Estevao is in his second season. The season is going to be long.”

“We started with Pedro [Neto], Morgan [Rogers] and Danny Welbeck, and the game had very intense moments.

“We knew it was going to be physical, and Malo [Gusto] had cramps, so we were a bit forced with substitutions. The season is going to be very long, and there will be moments for everyone.”

Why Alonso is facing a dilemma with Estevao

Estevao is Chelsea’s second most valuable player, with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €111m, behind Moises Caicedo but ahead of Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.

But despite this status, his current level means that he should only be a rotation player, just as Alonso is using him. According to SciSports, there are 17 players in Chelsea’s squad with a higher current level than the former Palmeiras teenager.

Estevao’s value is derived from the enormous potential that he has. If he were to reach this level, according to the data experts, he would be far better than any current player at Alonso’s disposal.

But this leaves the Spaniard with a tricky immediate issue: how does he give Estevao the game time he needs to develop and remain happy at the club?

This is where Chelsea’s lack of European football really hurts them. Rotation opportunities are few and far between, which is why it was particularly surprising that Estevao did not start at Anfield.

His chance will likely come when Pedro Neto’s strong start to the season cools off. The Portuguese has scored four goals in 11 matches this term and has been a fixture in Alonso’s thinking.

For the moment, Estevao must be patient, but the Chelsea manager must also recognise that he is managing a particularly delicate situation that has the potential to become explosive in January.

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