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Estêvão was the wonder kid. Chelsea fans were told he was the future. Right now the future is sitting on the bench, and nobody at the club is telling us why. On Wednesday night at Anfield he watched the whole Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool from the bench. It finished 1-1, Chelsea lost the shootout 6-5, and Estêvão did not get a single minute. Not in 90 minutes, not even for a penalty. Chelsea fans deserve to know what is going on.

What is going on?

Alonso started the season with a 2-2 pivot system and wing-backs. That pretty much told us he didn’t see Estêvão as a wing-back. Fine, that is a tactical call.

But the numbers since then are hard to explain. Estêvão has started two games this season and played 172 minutes. He is 19, he missed the World Cup with a hamstring injury, and last season he scored eight goals across all competitions, with 12 Premier League starts under Maresca and Rosenior. That is a player who has already shown what he can do. After the Liverpool game, Alonso said he understands Estêvão “could be happier” and that he is “sure that Este will have his moment.” He pointed to the physical side of English football and the fact that Estêvão is still adapting. Respectfully, that is not much of an answer for fans who want to know when that moment is coming.

The Liverpool game says it all

Alonso heavily rotated against Liverpool, and he went with three attackers: Pedro Neto, Danny Welbeck and Morgan Rogers. Two key attacking players were injured too. If ever there was a night for Estêvão, this was it. He didn’t start. He didn’t come off the bench either. Emmanuel Emegha came on ahead of him and missed his penalty in the shootout. So let’s call a spade a spade. What is Alonso saying here? Is Estêvão not good enough to get minutes in that game? BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Clinton Morrison said he didn’t know how Estêvão stayed off the pitch and that the kid must be thinking, “what do I have to do?” Jobi McAnuff said Alonso needs to explain it soon. I agree with both of them.

Is it time for the board to step in?

This kid was called the wonder kid. He was called the future. I know the board gave Alonso the job and the manager picks the team, but is it high time they looked into this? Because Chelsea fans do not want this to be another Salah situation, or another De Bruyne situation, quote and unquote. Players the club let go, who then went on to prove people wrong somewhere else. Look at Nicolas Jackson. Chelsea sold him to Aston Villa in August for around £65m. Some fans felt he should have stayed and fought for his place. Now he is blossoming under Unai Emery, with five goals in eight appearances, and Emery is calling him “our striker.” Let’s hope that doesn’t come back to haunt Chelsea later on.

What needs to be said

What does Estêvão need to do to earn Alonso’s trust? If it is about fitness and adapting, say so. If it is about the system, say that. If Alonso simply prefers other players, own it. What needs to be done, what needs to be addressed, what needs to be said. Chelsea fans have a right to know what is going on, and so does a 19-year-old who was supposed to be the future. If Estêvão’s moment is coming, show us when.

Sources

• Xabi Alonso: Estêvão will ‘have his moment’ at Chelsea (ESPN)
• ‘Trust me!’ Alonso explains why Estêvão is struggling for minutes (Goal)
• Clinton Morrison questions Alonso over Estêvão omission against Liverpool (CaughtOffside)
• Emery makes Jackson statement after Villa’s win over Fenerbahce (Sports Mole)
• Aston Villa sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson for reported club record (Al Jazeera)