Steven Gerrard predicts £29m Chelsea star will give Xabi Alonso 'a problem'

Steven Gerrard was impressed with Estevao’s performance in Chelsea’s win over Manchester United (The Overlap)

Steven Gerrard has warned Xabi Alonso that Estevao could become a selection problem at Chelsea this season.

Alonso faced criticism over his decision to leave Estevao on the bench against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup last week and reports have claimed that the 19-year-old has become frustrated over his lack of playing time for Chelsea this season.

Estevao was finally handed his first Premier League start of the season last Saturday and delivered an impressive performance as Chelsea sealed a 2-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Gerrard was also an admirer of Estevao’s display against United and praised the Brazilian winger for his direct approach on Chelsea’s right flank.

‘He’s exciting. He’s great to watch,’ Gerrard said on The Overlap.

‘Your typical Brazilian, where it’s about flair, it’s about quality, but I really like that he’s very direct. I like that he’s hungry to get shots off.

Estevao has started only one Premier League game this season (AMA/Getty)

‘If there’s a little criticism of some of the players for Liverpool in the attacking areas, I would say they don’t shoot enough. They’re looking for maybe that extra pass or that little bit of perfection, whereas what I like about Estevao is, certainly the one when he came in off the left, a little combination play and he whips that, and it’s a fantastic save from the United keeper.