One of the main reasons behind Estevao’s exile has been the form of Pedro Neto.<\/p>\n
It was only a couple of months ago that Portugal international Neto looked destined to leave Chelsea<\/a>, only two years after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers. <\/p>\n The 26-year-old was linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, but he ultimately remained at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n That decision appears to have been influenced by Alonso, who has underlined his faith in Neto by handing him seven starts in eight Premier League matches this season.<\/p>\n His success out on the right – which also happens to be Estevao’s favoured position – has meant opportunities have been few and far between for the Brazilian.<\/p>\n He has primarily been deployed as a right-sided wing-back in Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system, with his Premier League experience and greater defensive solidity compared to Estevao seemingly winning over the Spaniard.<\/p>\n After an impressive start to the campaign, in which he has scored four goals in 11 matches, Neto was rewarded with a new six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n “He’s a player who is a little bit of a victim of the system,” former Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff told Sky Sports.<\/p>\n “Alonso tends to play Neto in that hybrid wing-back role, expecting him to get high up the pitch as well. Maybe he doesn’t feel that suits Estevao, and I don’t feel it does either.”<\/p>\n One area that has not been a problem for the Blues this season is attack, with the forward positions firmly in the hands of Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Rogers, who has made a spectacular start to life at Stamford Bridge following his \u00a3117m move from Aston Villa<\/a>.<\/p>\n Against Liverpool<\/a>, though, Estevao couldn’t even get a look-in despite Chelsea<\/a> being without the suspended Palmer and the injured Joao Pedro.<\/p>\n