According to a report by Football London on Tuesday October 27, 2026, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has explained why Estevao was not included in the starting lineup for Saturday’s clash against Tottenham, despite Joao Pedro’s absence forcing changes to the team’s attacking setup.

Pedro’s injury has become a major setback for Chelsea, with the Brazilian forward expected to miss several weeks. His absence is particularly concerning ahead of important fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Rather than bringing Danny Welbeck into the starting lineup to replace Pedro, Alonso opted to push Morgan Rogers into the central attacking position. Many supporters expected Estevao to occupy the number ten role, but the manager chose Geovany Quenda instead.

Quenda was handed his first Chelsea start, while Estevao had to settle for a place on the bench. The Brazilian eventually entered the game in the 72nd minute, replacing Quenda, but Chelsea conceded twice during the closing stages.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup meeting with Liverpool at Anfield, Alonso was asked why he had left Estevao and Welbeck out of the starting lineup against Tottenham.

The Spanish manager defended his decision, explaining that he considers the available options and the team’s preparations before selecting his starting eleven.

“I assess all the options we have, what we have been preparing all the week, to choose the best team for each game. That was the case on Saturday, and that is the case tomorrow,” Alonso said.

With Pedro unavailable and Cole Palmer also missing Wednesday’s cup encounter, Estevao is expected to have a strong chance of returning to Chelsea’s starting lineup against Liverpool.

The young Brazilian has already featured from the beginning in Chelsea’s previous Carabao Cup matches against Luton Town and Leeds United. However, he was substituted at half-time during the team’s entertaining 6-3 victory over Leeds.

Welbeck, Rogers and Estevao could form Chelsea’s attacking trio at Anfield, while Wesley Fofana, Valentin Barco, Marco Palestra and Roméo Lavia are also potential candidates to enter the starting eleven.

Alonso has faced criticism for making several changes simultaneously in previous matches, including Chelsea’s disappointing first-half performance against Leeds and their defeat to Brentford.

However, injuries and suspensions have limited his options ahead of the Liverpool fixture. With Pedro injured, Palmer unavailable and Emi Martinez, Reece James and Jamie Gittens still sidelined, Chelsea could field a significantly changed team.

Liverpool will therefore enter the Carabao Cup encounter as favourites, leaving Alonso with the challenge of finding the right combination to keep Chelsea competitive at Anfield.