Estevao Willian was once again left out of Chelsea’s starting XI on Wednesday night.

Chelsea travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, but there was no room for Estevao in the team. In total, the winger has made just two starts this season, with neither coming in the Premier League.

Why does Xabi Alonso continue to snub Estevao, even when Chelsea need a goal? There are undoubtedly at least three factors behind the Spaniard’s decision.

Chelsea’s undroppable attack

They have slowed down a bit in recent games, while Joao Pedro missed Chelsea’s last Premier League match because of injury, but the Brazilian striker, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer have formed one of the best forward lines in England. That alone is keeping Estevao out of the starting XI.

In most games this season, Alonso has used his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, leaving no room for Estevao. Alonso can only start three attackers in this set-up, and Pedro, Rogers and Palmer have all been in undroppable form.

Pedro is Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League with five goals, while the 25-year-old has also registered three assists. In front of goal, Rogers has been almost as effective, netting four times. As for Palmer, he is Chelsea’s main man and is never going to be dropped.

Fitness concerns

Clearly, Chelsea’s star-studded attack is not the only reason why Estevao is not getting minutes right now. Alonso pretty much confirmed that in his post-match press conference after the Liverpool defeat.

Estevao sustained a bad hamstring injury towards the end of last season, and Alonso has admitted that he has taken that into account this term. “Yes, we know that the Premier League and the game in England is really intense,” Alonso said via 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.”

Evidently, Alonso has concerns about Estevao’s fitness and physicality. While they remain, the Brazilian is unlikely to become a starter any time soon.

Potential defensive vulnerability

Alonso will also have concerns about Estevao’s work rate and defensive ability, or at least compared to Pedro Neto, for example. On paper, Neto has been playing as a right wing-back, but Alonso still views him as a winger on the pitch.

After confirmation of the Portuguese’s contract extension, Alonso told Chelsea’s official club website: “For me he is a winger, but you can call him a winger or a wing-back because he has many qualities.”

It means, in theory, Estevao, who is also a right winger, could play in Neto’s position. But there will be doubts as to whether he can do the ugly side of the game like his teammate. But are they actually valid? Some of his numbers suggest perhaps not.

Right now, Neto’s distance covered on the pitch is 10 km per 90 minutes, according to FotMob. Last season, Estevao’s was 10.6. Neto is running about 1.9 km per 90, while Estevao ran 2.3.

There is definitely some kind of defensive or tactical aspect of Estevao’s game that Alonso is concerned about, though, otherwise the Brazil international would be getting more opportunities. Estevao’s limited minutes may very well reflect tactical concerns rather than a lack of physical effort, as his running statistics suggest he can match Neto’s work rate, although distance covered alone cannot measure pressing efficiency, defensive positioning or tracking runners.

Alonso’s comments about his hamstring recovery indicate that fitness remains a factor, too. Ultimately, whether the deciding factor of Alonso’s decision not to start Estevao is down to defensive concerns, fitness management or the quality of Chelsea’s existing attacking options remains unclear, but they are all clearly playing a part and his limited opportunities suggest that earning the Spaniard’s trust will require more than attacking talent alone.