Xabi Alonso insists Estevao Willian will ‘have his moment’ despite not featuring in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.
Chelsea suffered a penalty shootout defeat at Anfield after the game finished 1-1 in normal time, Cody Gakpo’s spot-kick cancelling out Morgan Rogers’ own penalty.
Estevao was expected to feature for the Blues after struggling for game-time in the Premier League but the Brazilian was left on the bench.
Having already earned 14 caps for Brazil, the 19-year-old is regarded as one of the best young players in the world but has struggled for game-time under Alonso, starting just three games so far this season.
Alonso admitted Estevao ‘could be happier’ in his post-match press conference but promised he would soon get his chance to impress.
‘I understand his situation and that he could be happier for sure,’ Alonso said. ‘Every player wants to play, wants to be part of the team.
‘We have had some intense games and there will be moments for everything. I’m sure that Este will have his moment. It’s my responsibility and we need to deal with that.’
Asked about chants coming from the Chelsea end in support of Estevao, Alonso added: ‘The fans were saying a lot of things.
‘We started with Pedro [Neto], with Danny [Welbeck] and with Morgan [Rogers] up front. The game had very intense moments. We knew that it was going to be physical.
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‘And after we had to deal with Moi [Caicedo], he had little problems. Malo [Gusto], as well, he had cramps. So we were a little bit forced with substitutions.
‘We know that the season is going to be long and there will be moments for everyone. Trust me, I’m sure the season is going to be long and Este is going to play his role.’
Alonso’s decision not to use Estevao attracted criticism from not only the travelling Chelsea fans but pundits Clinton Morrison and Jobi McAnuff.
‘How Estevao has not got on the pitch tonight I do not know,’ former Premier League striker Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
‘He must be thinking, what do I have to do? We have injuries to two of the star players up front and I’m still not getting on the pitch.’
McAnuff added: ‘I think it’s one Xabi Alonso has to answer very soon [on why Estevao hasn’t played] because you can talk about injuries and suspensions to forward players and again, in a game like today he is a difference maker.
‘He’s the last person you want to see come on that pitch tonight if you are a Liverpool defender. Him getting on the ball, running at you, making things happen.
‘I just feel that there’s something there at the moment that is stopping him getting the game time that we are all sitting here thinking he should be getting.’
Liverpool will face manager Andoni Iraola’s former club Bournemouth in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Speaking after his side’s win over Chelsea, Iraola said: ‘I think it was quite a level game. Very competitive, not a lot of chances for both teams. There were moments for us, moments for them.
‘We are really happy with the performances of a lot of the players and obviously happy to finish on the right end of the penalty shootout because it gave us the chance to be in the draw.’
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