Carlo Ancelotti blasts Xabi Alonso with thinly-veiled dig in Brazil press conference
Disagreements between a club and a country occur regularly. For example, Thomas Tuchel cannot be happy with Cole Palmer’s withdrawal. Now, Carlo Ancelotti has called out Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso has put Chelsea first in his first international break as manager, preventing the returning Reece James, Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo from a call-up. Then, Palmer and Joao Pedro withdrew.
Alonso clearly had something to do with Palmer and Pedro withdrawing, with Palmer said to be annoyed. Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, Brazil boss Ancelotti called out Chelsea’s treatment of Estevao.
Carlo Ancelotti does not feel Chelsea value Estevao as important
So far this season, Alonso has started Estevao twice – both of which came in the Carabao Cup, and in the second, he was hooked at half-time against Leeds. He’s managed just 31 minutes in the Premier League.
Ancelotti doesn’t feel Chelsea value Estevao, but has told the press that while he might not get the game time he desires at Stamford Bridge, Brazil will always provide the winger with the means to develop.
How can Xabi Alonso get Estevao Willian into the side? 🤔
The Brazilian has seen very little action under his new manager…
“Estevao is a very important player for the national team. Sometimes the club’s interests do not align with those of the national team. For us, Estevao, along with other young players, is very, very important.
“Even if he doesn’t play or doesn’t get any playing time at his club, I will call him up, because we believe he is very important for the future, and we will give him the opportunity to continue his development.”
Xabi Alonso needs to listen to Ancelotti regarding Estevao
If Ancelotti, one of the best to ever do it, is saying that Estevao is not valued as he should be at Chelsea, then Alonso has got to listen. Ancelotti is the kind of manager you listen to, even after Brazil’s World Cup.
Estevao is one of the best teenage talents in the world, and he wholly deserves more game time under Alonso. If it means Alonso needs to change formation, then so be it; a switch to 4-2-3-1 may help.
Certainly, Alonso needs to make a decision on Estevao before it is too late. Liverpool have been linked with a move, while Barcelona have made Estevao a priority despite Chelsea’s enormous £111m price tag.
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