Chelsea star left out of first team at Stamford Bridge in tough decision by Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has made it clear that one Chelsea player won’t be part of the first team at Stamford Bridge as they get ready for their Carabao Cup game against Leeds United.
Alonso has had a good start as Chelsea’s boss, winning two of his first three Premier League matches by beating Fulham and Brighton. They did lose 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, though.
Now, Alonso is focusing on the Carabao Cup game on Wednesday night. He might give some of the squad players a chance to shine against Leeds, but one key player almost definitely won’t play.
Before the match, Alonso confirmed that winger Kendry Paez won’t be picked for the first team before January’s transfer window. Paez returned from his loan at River Plate last month, but Alonso said, “No, no. He is not part of the plans. At the moment, he is not part of the first team squad.”
Paez joined Chelsea from Independiente del Valle last summer for £17.3 million (about $23.4 million). The clubs made the deal in 2023 when Paez was only 16, but he had to wait until he turned 18 to officially join Chelsea. He’s never played for Chelsea’s first team and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, where he played 21 times.
Chelsea tried to loan Paez out to an English club before the transfer window closed on September 1, but nothing was sorted. With time running out, the speedy winger will have a tough time finding regular first-team football since Alonso isn’t selecting him.
However, other leagues like Mexico, Brazil, and Greece still have open transfer windows, so there are options for another loan deal before January.
While Paez looks for a way out, Alonso confirmed another young winger, Estevao, will be involved in his plans. The Brazilian teenager has had less game time so far this season compared to last year when Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior were in charge.
Alonso said, “No, Este is ready; he’s training well. On Sunday, he had a very good impact; he has a great chance. So he’s fully involved and has a very good attitude every day.”
The 19-year-old came on as a substitute in the last eight minutes of the Arsenal game and started in the Carabao Cup win against Luton Town last month. Even though there were rumors in Brazil about Estevao possibly leaving in January, Alonso is clear that he has a key role this season.
He added, “We want players who have the desire and hunger to prove themselves every day, and Este is definitely one of them. He has a great attitude and mentality to prepare and be ready for the team.”
Estevao might start on the right side of Chelsea’s attack against Leeds or come on from the bench again.