"I'm sure that Este will have his moment." Xabi Alonso said that after Chelsea's Carabao Cup exit at Liverpool, and it is the line now framing the teenager's place in the squad. Estêvão, 19, joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer. At Liverpool vs Chelsea, Chelsea went out on penalties on Wednesday night, and Estevao stayed on the bench again.

Alonso's message to Estevao

Alonso's wider point was that the wait is temporary. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "He could be happier. He wants to play. I'm sure Estevao will have his moment, it is my responsibility."

He also pointed to the demands of English football, saying: "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." That explanation fits the broader picture of his selection choices, but it does not remove the fact that Estevao has not started any of the eight Premier League matches since Alonso took charge.

The minutes and the competition for places

The numbers show how little room the Brazilian has had. Estevao has only six Premier League appearances this season and 52 Premier League minutes, while his total minutes across all competitions stand at 172. He has not scored for Chelsea this season either.

Pedro Neto is the clearest reason the right side has stayed crowded. He has been handed seven starts in eight Premier League matches this season, has scored four goals in 11 matches, and was rewarded with a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge. Jobi McAnuff summed up the issue on BBC Sport when he said: "He's a player who is a little bit of a victim of the system."

Clinton Morrison, on the same broadcast, questioned the decision not to use Estevao at Anfield after Chelsea were without the suspended Cole Palmer and the injured Joao Pedro. His line was simple: "How Estevao has not got on the pitch tonight, I do not know." The criticism has some force because Chelsea were short of attackers, but Alonso has still backed the player publicly and the team remains fifth in the Premier League.

Chelsea face a run where those calls will keep coming. The Brazilian has been used mostly in brief cameos, and if Alonso keeps leaning on Neto in the league, Estevao's next chance will likely come in another rotation game rather than through a straight opening in the first XI.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →