👀 Estêvão fears less game time and a tactical shift under Xabi Alonso; why

👀 Estêvão fears less game time and a tactical shift under Xabi Alonso; why Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso’s start at the club has caused some concern for Brazilian forward Estêvão and his camp. The player’s main fear is seeing his minutes reduced due to the strong competition in attack and, above all, ending up being moved to play as a wing-back in the Spanish manager’s new system. According to journalist Renato Senise of ESPN Brasil, this scenario does not mean there is any friction with the coach or any desire to leave London. The concern is natural at this moment, especially because the Brazilian has just returned after around three months out with a serious muscle injury in his right thigh, suffered in April, which kept him out of the World Cup. Competition in attack In the first matches of the season, Xabi Alonso opted for a formation with three center-backs. In attack, his initial preference was for the trio of Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers playing behind center-forward João Pedro. They started the Premier League wins against Fulham (3-2) and Brighton (4-3). Estêvão’s difficulty in earning a spot is explained by the stature of his competitors: Cole Palmer: He is the team’s main technical reference and was given complete freedom by Alonso to drift through central areas. Morgan Rogers: He arrived at the club as the biggest signing in Chelsea’s history, brought in specifically to be one of the pillars of the new sporting project. As a result, the former Palmeiras player started the year as a substitute. He came on only in stoppage time against Fulham and stayed on the bench against Brighton. His main opportunity came in the League Cup, where he started against Luton Town and helped create the move that sealed the 2-0 win. Tactical dilemma? Besides the time on the bench, the tactical demands are also a concern, according to ESPN Brasil. Alonso’s system requires the wing-backs to cover the entire flank and contribute heavily in defense, something Portuguese player Pedro Neto has already been forced to do. This style of play limits Estêvão’s best qualities: dribbling, acceleration, changes of direction, and the ability to cut inside from the wings into central areas. Interestingly, during the negotiations when the player was still at Palmeiras, Chelsea had indicated to his camp that they saw potential to develop him more centrally, playing as a “number 10.” So far, however, the Brazilian prospect has been tested almost exclusively out wide. So, what do you think about Estêvão’s situation at Chelsea? SHARE YOUR OPINION in the comments! This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.