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It is a desperate day when Chelsea fans are starting to agree with Jamie O’Hara. But at the moment, Xabi Alonso has left them no choice when it comes to his treatment of Estevao.
On Wednesday night, Estevao remained on the bench. The Brazilian has been afforded two starts in Alonso’s 11 games so far, both in the Carabao Cup, while playing less than 50 minutes in the League.
Many expected Estevao to start at Anfield last night. But Alonso decided against it, even bringing on Emmanuel Emegha for his Chelsea debut before the Brazil international. O’Hara leapt to his defence.
Chelsea fans believe Estevao should be starting more games. The stats prove he was Chelsea’s third-most productive attacker last season, scoring a goal every 210 minutes. Yet, Alonso continues to leave him out.
On Sky Sports, former Tottenham player O’Hara – who has become renowned for his double act with CFC commentator Jason Cundy on TalkSPORT – launched a passionate rant against the treatment of Estevao.
“It’s a shambles he’s not playing, it’s a shambles he’s not featuring. The fact he [Alonso] is not even bringing him on is an absolute joke. Why not? It was the perfect game for Estevao to come on,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it. I don’t know why he’s not playing him, I don’t know what he’s seeing in training. Chelsea fans are not happy about it, because they rate Estevao. Estevao has been billed as a superstar.
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What are your thoughts on Estevao being left out again? Why do you think Xabi Alonso keeps doing it? 🤔
“The fact he is not using him makes me think he’s simply not having him; he doesn’t fancy him. Knocked out of the Carabao Cup, not in Europe at all; really the next time he could feature is the FA Cup.
“None of these managers actually wanted Estevao. He’s a club signing. Alonso has brought in the players he wants; Rogers, Lacroix, Henderson – they’re players he wants. It means Estevao is up against it already.
“He’s probably gone through four managers. It’s actually quite upsetting; he’s come over to a basket case in Chelsea, four managers, now with Alonso, who is not having him. Wonderkid, but he can’t get a game.
“He’s got to leave Chelsea. If I were him, I’d be banging on the door saying I’ve had enough; I’m out of here. They’ve buried his career; he hasn’t progressed, and Chelsea should be ashamed,” O’Hara finished.
It’s hard to argue with O’Hara, even if Chelsea fans will know that the former Spurs midfielder is likely to be simply winding fans up. Estevao is not getting the game time he deserves; only Alonso knows why.
O’Hara is right in that Estevao is a club signing. He was signed during Mauricio Pochettino’s era, but only arrived when Enzo Maresca took charge. Clearly, there wasn’t a manager imploring Chelsea to sign him.
Alonso will rate Estevao; it is impossible not to. He was voted the second-best teenager in the world in the second half of last season. But Estevao will know himself he is much more deserving of game time.