BBC pundits Clinton Morrison and Jobi McAnuff have questioned Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso’s decision to leave Estevao Willian on the bench throughout the Blues’ dramatic Carabao Cup defeat against Liverpool.
Chelsea were eliminated in the fourth round at Anfield after losing 6-5 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in normal time.
However, it was Alonso’s refusal to introduce the highly rated Brazilian winger that left both pundits particularly frustrated.
Despite Chelsea dealing with injuries to key attacking players, Estevao remained an unused substitute as the Blues struggled to find a winning goal against Andoni Iraola’s side.
Morrison believes the teenager must be questioning what more he needs to do to earn an opportunity.
Clinton Morrison stunned by Xabi Alonso’s Estevao decision
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso shouts instructions during the game vs Bournemouth (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Speaking live on BBC Radio 5 Live during Chelsea’s fourth-round clash against Liverpool, former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison expressed complete bewilderment over Alonso keeping the Brazilian wonderkid on the bench for the entire 90 minutes and subsequent penalty shootout:
“How Estevao has not got on the pitch tonight I do not know. He must be thinking, what do I have to do? We have injuries to two of the star players up front and I’m still not getting on the pitch.”
Fellow pundit Jobi McAnuff also criticised Alonso for not playing the Brazilian, stating:
“I think it’s one Xabi Alonso has to answer very soon [on why Estevao hasn’t played] because you can talk about injuries and suspensions to forward players and again, in a game like today he is a difference maker.
“He’s the last person you want to see come on that pitch tonight if you are a Liverpool defender. Him getting on the ball, running at you, making things happen. I just feel that there’s something there at the moment that is stopping him getting the game time that we are all…
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