Brazilian winger Estevão Willian’s limited playing time at Chelsea has raised questions about his role under manager Xabi Alonso after he was left out of the starting lineup for the club’s Carabao Cup encounter against Liverpool at Anfield.

According to a report published by The Chelsea Chronicle on Thursday, October 29, 2026, the 19-year-old has struggled to secure regular opportunities since the beginning of the season. He has reportedly started only two matches and is yet to feature in Chelsea’s starting lineup in the Premier League.

Despite his attacking ability and potential, Estevão has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular member of Alonso’s first team. Several factors have reportedly contributed to his situation, including competition for attacking positions, the need to manage his recovery from injury and the tactical demands of the manager’s preferred system.

One of the major obstacles facing the Brazilian is the competition for places in Chelsea’s attack. Alonso has frequently deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation, which limits the number of positions available to attacking players and makes selection particularly competitive.

João Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer have become important figures in Chelsea’s attacking setup. According to the report, Pedro has recorded five Premier League goals and three assists, while Rogers has contributed four goals. Palmer also remains an influential option in the manager’s plans.

Their contributions have made it more difficult for Estevão to secure a starting position, particularly when Alonso prefers to maintain a settled attacking combination.

Chelsea’s Carabao Cup match against Liverpool appeared to provide an opportunity for the manager to rotate his squad and give other players more playing time. Palmer’s suspension also meant that he was unavailable for selection. However, Estevão still failed to secure a place in the starting lineup, drawing further attention to his limited involvement.

Another factor that could be influencing Alonso’s decisions is Estevão’s previous hamstring injury. The Brazilian reportedly suffered a significant injury towards the end of last season, and his recovery remains an important consideration as he adapts to the physical demands of English football.

Alonso has indicated that the club is carefully managing the youngster’s return to full fitness rather than rushing him into a demanding schedule.

“The Premier League and the game in England is really intense,” Alonso said, according to The Standard.

“You need to be up for it. Este has played, for sure, it’s his second season. But he had the injury and he’s in that process.”

The manager’s comments suggest that Chelsea are taking a cautious approach to the winger’s development. Gradually increasing his involvement could allow him to regain his physical sharpness and confidence while reducing the risk of further injury.

For a young player still adapting to a new environment, managing fitness alongside the demands of regular competition can be challenging. Chelsea may therefore consider his long-term development when deciding how frequently he should feature in the starting lineup.

Tactical suitability could also play a role in determining Estevão’s opportunities. Alonso’s system requires attacking players to contribute beyond their work in possession, with defensive positioning, pressing and tracking opposition players forming important parts of the team’s overall approach.

Pedro Neto, who can operate on the right flank, offers the manager flexibility in this regard. His ability to contribute defensively as well as attack could make him a useful option in a system that places considerable demands on wide players.

However, statistics cited in the original report suggest that Estevão also demonstrates a strong work rate. The Brazilian reportedly covered an average of 10.6 kilometres per 90 minutes last season, compared with Neto’s 10 kilometres.

Although distance covered does not fully measure pressing effectiveness, defensive positioning or the quality of a player’s contribution, the figures indicate that Estevão’s work rate should not be overlooked when assessing his suitability for Alonso’s system.

The winger’s challenge, therefore, may involve demonstrating that he can consistently meet the manager’s tactical expectations while making effective use of his attacking abilities. Maintaining possession, making decisive contributions in the final third and fulfilling defensive responsibilities could all help strengthen his case for more regular involvement.

Ultimately, Estevão’s limited playing time appears to reflect a combination of competition for places, injury management and the tactical requirements of Chelsea’s system. His attacking potential remains an important consideration, but securing a regular starting position will likely depend on how he performs when opportunities arise.

For Alonso, the challenge will be to balance the need for immediate results with the development of a promising young player. Providing Estevão with suitable opportunities could help him gain experience and establish himself within the squad, while careful management of his fitness may prove important as Chelsea continue their campaign.