Estevao fading from view at Chelsea as Alonso keeps him on the sidelines

Chelsea, the London club in England's Premier League, were knocked out of the Carabao Cup (the English League Cup) in the fourth round on penalties by Liverpool, and the result has put the spotlight on 19-year-old Brazilian forward Estevao. He joined from Brazil's Palmeiras last summer, is no longer a first choice under manager Xabi Alonso, and did not get onto the pitch at Anfield on Wednesday.

A year ago Estevao was the talk of the Premier League, after he scored a stoppage-time winner against Liverpool in October. The picture is very different now. Since Alonso took charge, the Brazilian has not started any of Chelsea's eight Premier League games. His total for the campaign is 172 minutes, 125 of them in earlier League Cup rounds against Luton Town and Leeds United. Against Leeds he started and was withdrawn at half-time with Chelsea 1-0 down, though the game ended as a 6-3 Chelsea win.

Manager: his moment will come

After the defeat Alonso defended his choices. He said the game was physical, the season is long and there will be moments for everyone. On Estevao, he said the player could be happier, wants to play, and that he is sure his moment will arrive. He also pointed to the intensity of English football.

Competition on the right

The main reason is the form of Pedro Neto. The Portugal international was linked with Saudi club Al-Ahli in the summer but stayed, and has since signed a new six-year contract. He has scored four goals in 11 matches this season and started seven of eight Premier League games. Neto plays on the right, which is also Estevao's favoured position, and in Alonso's 3-4-2-1 system he is used as a right-sided wing-back.

Competition in attack is also fierce, with Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers the main options. Rogers joined from Aston Villa for £117m. Against Liverpool, Palmer was suspended and Joao Pedro injured.