Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has responded to reports that winger Estevao Willian is concerned about a lack of playing time this season.
The 19-year-old Brazilian is reportedly worried that opportunities will be limited under the Spanish manager during the current campaign.
Estevao Willian has played only 16 minutes in the Premier League so far. He has come on as a substitute twice, both times late in matches, while on another occasion he remained on the bench without being used.
His restricted involvement has led to speculation about his position within Alonso’s plans at Chelsea. The reports focus on whether the winger will receive enough minutes to establish himself in the team under the new head coach.
Alonso has now spoken about the situation surrounding Estevao Willian, although the available report does not include a direct quote from the Chelsea manager or provide further detail about his assessment of the player’s role.
For the moment, the statistics underline the limited part Estevao Willian has played in the Premier League. His total of 16 minutes has come entirely from two appearances off the bench, while his third involvement in a matchday squad ended without him entering the game.
The Brazilian’s current situation has therefore become a subject of discussion early in the season, with reports suggesting that he is concerned about how often he will be selected. Those concerns relate specifically to the amount of playing time available to him under Alonso.
Estevao Willian remains identified in the report as a Chelsea winger, but his league involvement to date has been confined to brief substitute appearances. The club’s head coach has been asked to address the reports about the player’s position, amid questions over whether his opportunities will increase as the season continues.
The information available does not indicate any change to his status at Chelsea, nor does it state that the club or the player has taken formal action over the matter. It confirms only that Alonso has commented on the situation and that Estevao Willian has made two late substitute appearances in the Premier League, with one further matchday appearance spent on the bench.
With just 16 minutes played in the competition, the winger’s role remains limited at this stage of the campaign. The reports of concern centre on whether that pattern will continue under Alonso and how much involvement Estevao Willian can expect in the current Premier League season.