Xabi Alonso has an easy solution to €100m Chelsea transfer headache

News

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Chelsea have a major Estevao Willian problem and it’s understood that Barcelona are beginning to circle as they eye a blockbuster deal in 2027.

The Brazil wonderkid has only played 23 minutes out of a possible 450 in the Premier League so far this season and the biggest clubs in Europe have been alerted to the possibility of a potential transfer.

Estevao boasts an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €78.7 million, but it would take a fee of at least €100m to finalise a deal given his current contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2033 and the fact he is seen as one of the biggest prospects in world football.

Despite rumours of an exit, Chelsea insist that Estevao remains one of their ‘untouchables’, while the Brazil winger himself has denied rumours that he has grown frustrated at Stamford Bridge.

When asked about his current lack of game time at Chelsea while on international duty with Brazil last week, Estevao told ESPN: “I think every coach has their own way of playing. Of course, we work every day, I give my best every day, and that's what I do.

“We have quality players at Chelsea, so what I do is focus on what I can control, I try to give my best in training, when I get an opportunity I try to give my best, it goes day after day.

“I try to seize every opportunity I have, I try to control everything I can and I leave it in God's hands, and I trust myself a lot too.”

However, he is one of the most talented young attackers in world football and it will come as no surprise if he begins to explore his options next year unless he works his way into favour under Alonso.

The main problem for Estevao in his bid for regular game time, however, is out of his control.

The easy solution to Estevao issue

Alonso favoured a 3-4-2-1 system to great success at Bayer Leverkusen, but he chose to deploy a back-four formation throughout his short stint at Real Madrid.

Since his appointment as the new Chelsea manager, he has reverted to his tried and trusted 3-4-2-1 system with mixed success. The Blues won their opening two games of the new Premier League season, but they have picked up just one point in their subsequent three fixtures and now sit 10th in the table after five matches.

They have conceded the most goals of any team in the entire division (12) and they are currently on course to concede 91 times across the 38-game English top flight season. That simply isn’t good enough and their attacking flair isn’t enough to make up for it.

Taking a defender out of his starting XI in favour of an attacker therefore seems like a bizarre suggestion, but it could prove to be the easy solution to fix Chelsea’s defensive woes and give Estevao the platform to shine.

A back-four system would suit Reece James, who could move back to a right-back berth, Levi Colwill, who has struggled as the left-sided defender in Chelsea’s back three, and Estevao, who could slot in on the right flank.

It may not immediately improve Chelsea’s fortunes, however persisting with the 3-4-2-1 system strictly out of principle certainly isn’t a wise choice and Alonso should at least seriously consider a formation change.

Moving to a back four would help Chelsea reap the benefits of having Estevao at their disposal, and it may also lead to an upturn in results. So, what’s the risk?

The Blues have one of the most talented wingers in world football at their disposal and although he has insisted that he remains happy at the club, that stance will almost certainly change if he continues to play a reduced role this season.

This could soon become a problem, but Alonso has an easy solution: change his formation.