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On ESPN FC, Steve Nicol, Ale Moreno and James Olley join Kay Murray to discuss Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso downplaying the importance of the Carabao Cup after calling it the “least important competition” for the club.
0:00 Xabi Alonso downplays Carabao Cup
5:17 Estevao Willian's playing time
12:04 Joao Pedro's absence
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Didn't Alonso say before the match that he would like to progress to the next round? He only changed his tune after they were knocked out.
one of the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever heard from a manager whose team isn’t in Europe he must be confused as to where he is 😂
Since Alonso feels that way about the caraboa cup why didn’t he then just throw estavao in and see what happens?
The poor travelling fans. Considering some put trip on credit cards
He played Quenda, started Quenda actually, over Estevao so I disagree with James about it being "tactical".
Yes, each competition is important
How many comps are they playing in for him to talk like they got options and he's certain they will end the season with silverware?...
Totally agree with the panel. Estevao should look for a way out in January. Alonso did the same with Vini subbing him when he was at his best . Looks like he has a problem with Brazilian players like Van Gaal did back then.
pedro neto thru the middle, estevao on the wing. selling him will be a huge mistake
1. This guy Xabi will watch Chelsea struggle for 75 mins straight, and only make substitutions at the 80th minute. 2. When he's asked about why he refuses to play Estevao, he can't even explain why.. 3. i still have a bitter taste in my mouth about that Spurs game, because honestly, what was that? We needed welbeck to play and he leaves him on the bench??? 4. Now he's saying this?? Few months in and he's already exhibiting fraud behavior smh..
Chelsea getting more heat than Arsenal did for losing against Fleetwood Town. 🤔
Coaches these days have it the wrong way around... the players you have in your team should determine the kind of tactics and formation you employ, not you forcing tactics on players... so not playing estevao is a big no!
Estevao must go to Italy even if it's a loan. Italy top 4(Inter, Como, Napoli & Roma) do lack a player of such quality. Yes Italy is behind premier league & La Liga at the moment. But the clubs are still in UCL with no much expectations and pressure. Nico Paz, Jacobo Ramon & Mastantuono were not playing at Madrid and are now staters 3very week in Italy. The guy must take a tough decision right now. If he is good as he believes to be, he will do well in Italy and big clubs will still come for him again. Nico Paz now cannot leave Como to be a bench player somewhere. Salah & De Bruyne also failed at Chelsea but turned out to be great players somewhere else. Lift your head up young man.
Why are we beating around the bush. There is no point for big clubs to be playing in these meaningless cups UNLESS they're going for the double or treble. Chelsea are not in that discussion. But he obviously picked a "strong xi" by their standards and he clearly wanted a statement win over his old club.
Estevao should leave for Barca. He can really thrive there with yamal and rapinha as he can play through the middle or both flanks
I have lost all respect for Xabi Alonso; he is a foolish person. His remarks were disrespectful to the Cup, the Premier League, and the fans. However, given that he is managing Chelsea, a club known for its low standards and fans, we shouldn't anticipate anything better from mediocre managers. He wasn't even a remarkable player; he was just present, and I can't recall any memorable moments from this terrible manager's playing career.
Alonso is overhyped by the media but he is a fraud
* What is the a assignment today? - Attack Xabi Alonso
PL > FA Cup > League Cup. He's factually correct that it's the least important competition they were in.
Chelsea have nothing else to play for...they not gonna make top 4