Chelsea winger Estevao Willian has played for just 23 minutes since manager Xabi Alonso’s appointment this summer.
The Blues have adopted a 3-4-2-1 set-up since Alonso arrived at Stamford Bridge, making it difficult for Estevao to get a chance to prove himself.
Chelsea have Cole Palmer in the inside right position while Pedro Neto is the right-wing-back. The former is too good to be dropped, and the latter offers more work rate.
However, Estevao took his chance to show the new Chelsea boss what he is missing during the international break.
Estevao bagged a goal and an assist as Brazil beat India 4-0. The Chelsea man was arguably the Selecao’s most dangerous player on the night.
With Raphinha out and Vinicius Junior struggling for form, Estevao took the bull by the horns.
He could have scored just moments into the game but shot wide. His dangerous corner kick found Marquinhos, who headed wide.
Estevao didn’t pass up the next chance. The 19-year-old cut in from the right and fired the ball into the net to open the scoring. He has bagged six goals in 14 games for Brazil.
He also set up Pedro’s goal before the break, reminding everyone why Chelsea paid so much so early to secure his services.
The young winger ‘showed his class‘ and will hopefully earn more opportunities as Chelsea try to claw their way up the Premier League table.
However, Estevao will need to improve on some aspects of his game if he is to usurp the starting position ahead of Neto or Palmer.
He needs to learn to keep the ball better and stop allowing transitions when he loses it. He also needs to be more intense on and off the ball.
