Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed private discussions with Estevao Willian concerning the young forward's limited game time and his future at the club. These talks come amid reports from Brazil suggesting the 19-year-old Brazilian is concerned about his opportunities under the new manager.

Estevao has accumulated just 16 minutes of playing time across two substitute appearances in the Premier League against Fulham, Brighton, and Arsenal. He recently came close to scoring an equalizer in the match against Arsenal but was denied by goalkeeper David Raya.

Reports in Brazil indicate Estevao is worried about his position within the team. The player reportedly prefers playing in a more central attacking role. However, with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers seemingly established in the forward line behind Joao Pedro, Estevao might find himself competing for a place on the wing or potentially even as a right-wing back in Alonso's favored 3-4-2-1 formation. There are claims that Estevao is not keen on playing in the latter position.

When questioned about Estevao's potential unhappiness, Alonso stated, "Private conversations, they should remain private. But the season is going to be long." He added, "The players have the desire and the hunger to prove and to show every day that they are up for the challenge. It’s what we want to create here in the building. Este is part of it. So he has had a very good attitude, very good mentality to prepare every game and to be ready for the team."

Alonso suggested that Estevao could be given a starting opportunity when Chelsea faces Leeds in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening. The manager emphasized that players need to demonstrate their readiness for more game time. "Este is ready," Alonso said. "He’s training well. He's fully involved and with a very good attitude every day. He's in that process to adapt and to learn quick, and the season is going to be long."

In other team news, Marco Palestra and Moises Caicedo will be unavailable for the upcoming match against Leeds as they continue to recover from injuries. "No, not yet, still not ready to go," Alonso confirmed. "It is not the moment to take too early of a risk. We go game by game with them and it's too early."

Regarding Palestra, the summer signing who impressed in pre-season before his injury, Alonso noted, "He came with huge energy, a huge desire to enjoy his game in the Premier League. He had a very good pre-season and a few days before the first game against Fulham, he picked up an injury. But it's part of the life of a football player to come back from injury. He has great potential and he will add a lot of good qualities that we need for the team."

Jordan Henderson and Emmanuel Emegha remain sidelined. However, Levi Colwill is fit and available to play against Leeds after missing the previous match against Arsenal due to a minor injury.