Xabi Alonso rules out January loan move for Chelsea winger Estêvão Willian

Xabi Alonso has ruled out a January move for Estêvão Willian but has said the Chelsea youngster must adapt to his style of play before earning a regular spot in the team.

The debate around Estêvão’s role gathered momentum this week, with the noise growing after the 19-year-old watched as an unused substitute as Alonso’s side lost to Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. The Brazilian became an instant hit with Chelsea fans after joining from Palmeiras last year and there are fears that the winger could look to leave after starting twice in 11 games in all competitions this season.

Yet while Estêvão is having a tougher time during his second year in English football, Alonso insisted that the Brazil international is part of his plans and will not be loaned out to get more games in January.

“No discussions about that,” Alonso said. “It’s no secret that all players want to be on the pitch. When any of them haven’t had enough minutes because of my decision, I have to take the responsibility for that. But everyone has to be ready because in any game they could be important. Este, his training and his attitude has been good.”

There was a lot of hype around Estêvão after his £51.4m move. He impressed last season, particularly when he scored a brilliant solo goal against Barcelona, only for a hamstring injury to dash his hopes of going to the World Cup.

The teenager has struggled since returning from injury. Estêvão has played a total of 47 minutes in the Premier League this season. He earned an international recall from Carlo Ancelotti on Thursday but is yet to convince Alonso, who explained the process for Estêvão from a tactical perspective before Chelsea host Manchester United on Saturday.

“Well [it is] in the adaptation to the competition, the process to learn things with the ball, against the ball, how to be more competitive,” Alonso said. “That’s for all the players who have made that big step to the Premier League. I am part of the process to help him. For sure I understand the moment, I understand his feeling. It’s still early days.”

Alonso did not use all of his substitutions against Liverpool. He suggested physicality was a reason for Estêvão’s omission after the game. On Friday, Alonso said that improving without the ball is not the only issue.

“It’s one thing,” he said. “With the ball is very important as well. That’s sometimes when to take the right decision, what to do in the next situation. It’s to keep the ball, it’s to find the right pass. And, as well, against the ball you need to be competitive. That’s in football and in the Premier League mandatory now.

“The demand of the Premier League is higher than other leagues because of the tempo. To be there as a teenager is not easy. That’s why to go through this filter is not for everyone. It takes time. Even then there will be mistakes. Mistakes are part of the learning process.”

Alonso has often used a 3-4-2-1 system, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers playing as No 10s. He considered whether Estêvão would be suited to a role in the middle.

“Depending on the game, the context, he could play more in this pocket position as a No 10,” he said. “But where he has played more in the Premier League has been as a winger. In one-on-one situations he has good moments.”

Chelsea have selection issues in defence before facing United. Jorrel Hato has a back problem and Maxence Lacroix is out until after the international break after sustaining a hamstring injury against Liverpool.