Chelsea’s Estevao Willian problem has been highlighted by Jamie Redknapp, who believes the teenage winger is too talented to remain on the bench for extended periods under manager Xabi Alonso.
Estevao, 19, made a strong impression after joining Chelsea last season, although his form dipped slightly as the campaign progressed. Despite that, he remains regarded as one of the most promising young players in world football.
His limited opportunities have raised questions about how Alonso can accommodate him in a squad already featuring several high-profile attacking options.
Redknapp questions Estevao’s role at Chelsea
Redknapp, the former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder, said the Brazilian’s quality should make him a regular contender for a place in the team.
“I look at Estevao, is he too good a player not to play in this team?” Redknapp said.
He acknowledged the competition facing the winger, with Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro also competing for attacking positions.
“He is in an incredible talent but how do you get him in the team when you have got Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro? These are the problems he has to solve,” Redknapp said.
The situation reflects the difficult balance Chelsea must manage within their squad. While the club have been short of depth in midfield and defence, they have a sizeable collection of attacking players competing for places.
Alonso impressed during his time as Bayer Leverkusen manager but has inherited a challenging situation at Chelsea, with Estevao’s place among the substitutes providing one of the clearest examples of the selection decisions facing him.
