Xabi Alonso has held private talks with Estevao Willian amid speculation that Chelsea’s Brazilian boy wonder is concerned with his lack of opportunities and new manager’s vision for him.
After Premier League games against Fulham, Brighton and Arsenal, Estevao has only received 16 minutes in total via two substitute appearances. He came close to equalising late in their 2-1 loss at the Emirates Stadium but was denied by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
According to reports in Brazil, Estevao is worried about his future within Chelsea. It is said the 19-year-old prefers playing centrally, though Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers appear to be locked in behind Joao Pedro in the Blues’ front three. That could leave him competing with Pedro Neto and others to be used as a right-wing back if Alonso persists with his 3-4-2-1 set-up, but it has also been claimed Estevao is not enthralled with the idea of playing in that position.
When asked about Estevao and whether he has expressed unhappiness, Alonso said: ‘Private conversations, they should remain private. But the season is going to be long.
‘The players have the desire and the hunger to prove and to show every day that they are up for the challenge. It’s what we want to create here in the building. Este is part of it. So he has had a very good attitude, very good mentality to prepare every game and to be ready for the team.’
After Premier League games against Fulham, Brighton and Arsenal, Estevao has only received 16 minutes in total via two substitute appearances
Estevao could be handed a starting place as Leeds visit Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, with Alonso hinting it is on his players to prove why they deserve game time.
‘Este is ready,’ Alonso added. ‘He’s training well. He’s fully involved and with a very good attitude every day. He’s in that process to adapt and to learn quick, and the season is going to be long.’
Meanwhile, Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo will not be available for the visit of Leeds as they are still overcoming injury issues. ‘No, not yet, still not ready to go,’ Alonso said. ‘It is not the moment to take too early of a risk. We go game by game with them and it’s too early.’
Specifically on Palestra, their summer signing who impressed in pre-season before his setback, Alonso said: ‘He came with huge energy, a huge desire to enjoy his game in the Premier League. He had a very good pre-season and a few days before the first game against Fulham, he picked up an injury. But it’s part of the life of a football player to come back from injury. He has great potential and he will add a lot of good qualities that we need for the team.’
Both Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha are still sidelined, but Levi Colwill is fit to face Leeds after going unused against Arsenal due to a minor injury.
