Xabi Alonso has been urged to find a way to include Estevao in Chelsea’s starting line-up after the club’s defeat by Brentford left the manager facing further scrutiny. Chelsea have won two of their first five matches under Alonso.
The Premier League fixture was goalless at half-time, but Brentford took control after the interval and Chelsea were unable to respond. The result also extended concerns over the Blues’ defensive record, with the side again failing to keep a clean sheet.
Jamie Redknapp, speaking as a Sky pundit, questioned whether Estevao is too talented to remain on the fringes of Alonso’s plans.
“I look at Estevao, is he too good a player not to play in this team?” Redknapp said.
Redknapp acknowledged the difficulty facing Alonso, given the competition for places in Chelsea’s attack. “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.”
Alonso faces Chelsea selection dilemma
Estevao has reportedly been unhappy with his lack of starts, and his frustration may have increased against Brentford when he was not the first attacking substitute called upon. That role went to Geovany Quenda.
The decision was particularly notable as Chelsea searched for a goal, with Pedro Neto struggling to make an impact on the right. Joao Pedro was absent for the match, creating an opportunity for Alonso to alter his attacking line-up, but Estevao was still not introduced as the first option.
With Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro all competing for attacking positions, fitting Estevao into Chelsea’s preferred front three will not be straightforward. Redknapp’s comments underline the growing pressure on Alonso to find a solution.
