Estevao Willian form has taken an unexpected turn at Chelsea, with the Brazilian winger struggling to establish himself in a team where his talent was expected to make a much bigger impact from the beginning of the season.
That struggle can very much be attributed to Xabi Alonso’s system, as the young star is now finding it hard to find a suited role in his new-look philosophy.
His situation raises an intriguing question about where Estevao fits into Alonso’s plans, making his form a story worth following as Chelsea’s new-look side continues to take shape.
Estevao Willian form is currently defined by his inability to secure regular minutes as he looks to impose himself on Xabi Alonso’s new-look squad.
He has started only two games this season, both in the Carabao Cup, and has been restricted to four late substitute appearances, which total 23 minutes played.
Despite being fully fit and available, he has not broken into Alonso’s preferred starting lineup, creating curiosity about his fit into the Spanish manager’s plans.
That limited involvement is particularly notable because he arrived at Chelsea last season with a strong reputation, producing eight goals and three assists across all competitions. Expectations were high that he would have another explosive campaign this season, but that has instead been met with limited game time.
However, Estevao seems relaxed about his current situation, as he spoke to the media during a press conference while on international duty with Brazil, stressing that he will work harder at every opportunity.
“We have quality players at Chelsea, so what I do is focus on what I can control. I try to give my best in training; when I get an opportunity, I try to give my best. It goes day after day.”
Nevertheless, while Estevao remains focused on controlling what he can, the main question still remains: why is Chelsea’s most exciting young talent struggling to make a bigger impact so far this season?
One of the clearest explanations for Estevao Willian form can be found in how Alonso has primarily deployed his attacking setup, which seems to be limiting opportunities for the Brazilian.
Alonso has mostly used a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 structure built around a front three of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, with wingbacks providing width and the central attackers occupying dangerous interior spaces.
In the games Estevao has featured so far, he has typically been used on the right side of the attack or as an inverted option in the half spaces, either starting wide or drifting inside depending on the match setup.
That positioning does not necessarily maximise his best qualities. His core strengths, which include attacking from the right, cutting inside onto his stronger left foot, dribbling in tight spaces, creating and goalscoring, fit more naturally into a traditional or inverted winger role than the positionally disciplined demands of Alonso’s system.
As a result, the current system has limited his freedom to roam and express his abilities effectively. The creative and goalscoring zones have also been occupied by Palmer and Rogers, while the wingback role demands greater defensive responsibility that does not fully suit him.
That tactical difficulty becomes even more significant when the competition for attacking places is considered.
While the tactical philosophy has been affecting Estevao Willian form, stiff attacking competition has also limited his starting opportunities.
That competition lies mainly in the front three and supporting attacking roles, where Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro currently hold strong preference, with Pedro Neto also featuring regularly from the wingback position.
Alonso has now selected Palmer, Rogers and Joao Pedro as his primary attacking trio because of their sensational early-season form. Despite Chelsea struggling defensively and in midfield, the trio has scored ten goals between them, helping compensate for some of the team’s defensive woes while underlining the chemistry between them.
That chemistry also makes it difficult for Estevao to displace any of them immediately. Palmer brings creativity and goalscoring threat from the central-right side, Rogers offers versatility and end product, while Joao Pedro provides link-up presence as a center forward who can drop deep and finish.
These profiles currently complement each other more naturally than Estevao’s pure dribbling and inverted winger style within Alonso’s setup.
With the attack already filled, rotation in cup games gives Estevao occasional starts, but Alonso’s reluctance to change his in-form front three has limited the Brazilian’s chance to build consistent rhythm and confidence, making his path into regular starts significantly harder.
The tactical system and an already functioning attack have played a role in shaping Estevao Willian form, but his own performances also deserve closer attention given the limited game time he has received so far this season.
Having played roughly 148 minutes across six appearances this season, Estevao has yet to register a goal or assist and has struggled to exert his influence in matches.
That lack of impact was particularly evident against Leeds in the Carabao Cup, when he was removed at halftime after a poor performance, with similar struggles also appearing against Brentford and in other substitute appearances.
There have still been flashes of what he can offer. Some of his best cameos this season came as a substitute against Arsenal in the league and also against Luton Town in the Carabao Cup. However, those occasional flashes after six matches are not anywhere close to his level and point to the need for a step up in performances.
Although restricted minutes make it harder to develop consistency, the opportunities he has received have not produced an overwhelming case for starting selections. That means Estevao now needs to turn his chances into stronger and more consistent performances if he is to force his way into the starting lineup.
That need for improvement means Alonso has an important role to play in turning Estevao Willian form around, while the Brazilian also needs to improve his own performances.
Giving Estevao a more defined attacking role, whether on the right or in a freer interior position, would allow him to play more effectively to his strengths.
A more regular run of appearances rather than just cup starts or late substitute cameos could also help him build the trust, rhythm and confidence needed at this level.
At the same time, Alonso could switch his system by playing with a back four, which could shift Palmer into the No. 10 role while accommodating Estevao as a right winger. Alternatively, he could adjust the surrounding structure slightly to create more space for his dribbling, cutting inside and chance creation without overhauling the entire system.
Such adjustments would not necessarily guarantee an immediate transformation, but they could give Estevao a clearer pathway to express the qualities that made him such an exciting young talent.
If Estevao settles and becomes more productive under Alonso, Chelsea would be adding a quality creator and goalscoring threat who can stretch defenses and provide a new dimension in attack.
That potential makes his current situation of limited minutes increasingly important when considering Estevao’s Chelsea future in the long run.
Several clubs in Europe will be monitoring his situation and could try to come in for the talented winger if his limited playing time continues, with lucrative offers potentially tempting him away despite his current stance of working hard to earn a place in the squad.
His future is not currently in danger, as he remains central to Chelsea’s long-term plans, but patience and consistent improvement from him, alongside Alonso’s integration and guidance, will be crucial to getting his form back on track.
Estevao Willian’s situation is certainly not what many expected after his promising first season at Chelsea. There is still plenty of time for him to turn things around, but sitting on the bench and getting limited opportunities will not help a young player build the confidence and rhythm needed to succeed. Alonso clearly has to find a way to get the best out of him, while Estevao also needs to make the most of every chance that comes his way. If both things happen, his season could still take a very different direction.
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