Sports · Football · 3 hrs ago
Estevao’s limited Chelsea role draws attention after cup exit
Chelsea were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool after a penalty shootout at Anfield on Wednesday.
Brazilian forward Estevao, 19, stayed on the bench throughout the match.
He has struggled for playing time since Xabi Alonso became Chelsea manager this summer, and has not started a Premier League game under him.
Estevao has played 172 minutes this season, with most of those minutes coming in earlier rounds of the cup.
Alonso said the game was physical and that injuries and cramps forced some of his substitutions.
Alonso said Estevao will get his moment, while acknowledging the player could be happier.
Pedro Neto’s strong form on the right wing has also limited Estevao’s chances in his preferred position.
Chelsea’s cup exit leaves the club with fewer competitions in which the forward might get opportunities.
Chelsea’s 19-year-old Brazilian forward Estevao was left on the bench in the team’s Carabao Cup defeat by Liverpool.
Manager Xabi Alonso said the game’s intensity and forced substitutions shaped his decisions, adding that Estevao would have his moment.
The cup exit has drawn attention to Estevao’s limited playing time under Alonso this season.
The BBC reported that Estevao had played 172 minutes in all competitions, including 125 in two earlier cup ties.
The Independent said Chelsea’s remaining campaign offers fewer opportunities after the cup exit and with no European football.
- Who
- Chelsea forward Estevao and manager Xabi Alonso.
- What
- Estevao was an unused substitute as Chelsea lost to Liverpool and exited the Carabao Cup.
- When
- Wednesday, 28 October 2026, as reported on 29 October.
- Where
- Anfield, Liverpool.
- Why
- Alonso cited the game’s intensity and forced substitutions; he also said the season was long and Estevao would have his moment.
Clinton Morrison and supporters calling for Estevao to play
Xabi Alonso
Estevao’s absence
Clinton Morrison and supporters calling for Estevao to play
Morrison questioned why Estevao had not been brought on, while Chelsea supporters chanted his name and showed they wanted him to play.
Xabi Alonso
Alonso said his starting choices and forced substitutions shaped the match, and that Estevao would have opportunities.
Estevao scored a late winner against Liverpool in the last Chelsea victory over the club, according to BBC Sport.
Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup and exited without Estevao playing.
Alonso defended his decision and said Estevao would have his moment.
- Age
- 19
- Match
- Chelsea lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup at Anfield
- Estevao’s match role
- Unused substitute
- Minutes this campaign
- 172 in all competitions, according to BBC Sport
- League starts
- None in eight Premier League matches since Alonso took charge, according to BBC Sport
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What people are saying
Não entendo como Estêvão ainda nem entrou em campo hoje à noite. Ele deve estar pensando: "O que mais eu tenho que fazer? Temos dois dos nossos principais atacantes lesionados e mesmo assim eu ainda não entrei em campo".
He could be happier. He wants to play. I'm sure Estevao will have his moment, it is my responsibility.