Chelsea youngster Estêvão Willian has addressed questions surrounding his relationship with manager Xabi Alonso and his limited playing time since the start of the Premier League season.
Speaking while on international duty with Brazil, the 19-year-old insisted that he remains focused on working hard and taking his opportunities whenever they come.
“I think every coach has their own way of playing. Of course, we work every day, I give my best every day, and that’s what I do,”
Estêvão said.
He added that Chelsea have a squad filled with quality players and explained that his priority is to concentrate on the areas he can control rather than worry about his current position in the team.
“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,”
he added.
Softfootball understands that Estêvão has made just 23 minutes of Premier League football across Chelsea’s first five league matches under Alonso, although he has started both of the club’s League Cup fixtures.
His comments come after Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat away to Brentford, with the result extending their winless run in the Premier League to three matches.
Brentford scored three times after the break, with Jaidon Anthony opening the scoring before Igor Thiago doubled the advantage. Fabio Carvalho then completed the victory in stoppage time.
The defeat also highlighted Chelsea’s defensive struggles, with Alonso’s side still searching for their first clean sheet of the league campaign.
Softfootball notes that Estêvão’s patience could become important for Chelsea as Alonso looks for solutions following the disappointing result. With the youngster eager to prove himself in training, more opportunities could arrive when the Premier League resumes.
