Chelsea Supporters Outraged As Xabi Alonso Leaves Estevao On Bench Aga

Chelsea Supporters Outraged As Xabi Alonso Leaves Estevao On Bench Against Liverpool

Chelsea fans expressed fury online after 19-year-old Estevao was benched during their Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 29, 2026 · 11:43 AM 3 min read

Key takeaways

Chelsea were eliminated from the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Nineteen-year-old Brazilian player Estevao remained on the bench throughout the match despite traveling fans chanting his name.

Manager Xabi Alonso stated that physical demands and enforced substitutions due to injuries and cramps influenced his team selection.

Chelsea play Manchester United on Saturday following a 2-0 home defeat against Tottenham.

Chelsea supporters expressed intense anger online after 19-year-old Estevao remained on the bench during their Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. The Blues were eliminated from the competition following a 1-1 draw and a subsequent penalty shootout.

Estevao has not started any Premier League matches under manager Xabi Alonso, though he had featured in the starting lineup for both prior cup fixtures. During the match against Liverpool, traveling fans chanted his name, but he was overlooked in favor of Emmanuel Emegha during the second half.

Following the final whistle, multiple supporters voiced their frustration on social media. One critic wrote, "The way Alonso has treated Estevao is so disgusting. How is nobody talking about it". Another posted, "I'm sorry but nothing justifies why Estevao is not playing, we might lose him in January or maybe he will put in a transfer request next summer, he can't even start in Carabao cup games, this is the face of Brazil football and he is being treated like a trash."

A third supporter added, "Sorry but Xabi Alonso lost me today. What we saw today was a f***ing disgrace. Don't tell me that he doesn't have a problem with Steve. He made him warm up twice and didn't play him. He heard our fans ask for him three times and didn't play him. Steve is also a penalty taker."

Addressing the teenager's situation after the game, 44-year-old Alonso stated, "I understand his situation and that he could be happier for sure. Every player wants to play, wants to be part of the team. We have had some intense games, and there will be moments for everything. I'm sure that Este will have his moment. It's my responsibility and we need to deal with that."

Regarding the chants from the away supporters, Alonso remarked, "The fans were saying a lot of things. We have started with Pedro [Neto], with Danny [Welbeck] and with Morgan [Rogers] up front. The game had very intense moments. We knew that it was going to be physical. And after we had to deal with Moi [Caicedo], he had little problems. Malo [Gusto], as well, he had cramps. So we were a little bit forced with substitutions. And now we know that the season is going to be long. And there will be moments for everyone."

When questioned about whether the player's physicality influenced his limited playing time, the Spanish coach acknowledged, "Yes, we know that the Premier League and the game in England is really intense. You need to be up for it. Este has played, for sure, it's his second season. But he had the injury and he's in that process. Trust me, I'm sure the season is going to be long and Este is going to play his role."

This cup exit followed a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham on Saturday. Chelsea will attempt to recover when they host Manchester United on Saturday.

Questions and answers

Why did Chelsea fans get angry at Xabi Alonso?

Supporters were frustrated that 19-year-old Estevao was left on the bench during the Carabao Cup match against Liverpool despite warming up twice and fans chanting his name.

What did Xabi Alonso say about Estevao's lack of minutes?

Alonso explained that English football is very intense, noted that the player is recovering from an injury, and stated that the season is long with moments for everyone.