Xabi Alonso admitted that some Chelsea players are not too happy with their limited involvement, but insisted it is “normal” and challenged these players to “show” it when given the chance.

Chelsea have had a relatively stable starting XI in recent weeks, and the lack of European football this season certainly makes this easier to achieve.

However, it is clear that the continuity comes at the expense of the fringe players, who struggle to even get rotation minutes. In the Everton win last week, for example, Alonso waited until stoppage time before making his first outfield substitutions.

Estevao Willian, Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra, and Romeo Lavia are among the players who arguably have the quality to compete for the starting spots but have had no choice but to be content with mere cameos.

While Alonso is aware that these players must be restless with their lack of minutes, he made it clear that this is not an unforeseen situation.

“Yes, as I've said, there will be moments for everyone, for sure. I understand when they are disappointed after not playing for a few games,” Alonso said in Friday’s press conference when asked about managing the non-regulars.

“This is normal. It's not rocket science to understand that this is going to happen. 

“How to deal with them? They need to feel that they will be important at some stage, that they need to be ready. Because this is what it takes: professional and elite football. 

“Whenever you are given the chance, you need to show that you are ready for that. 

“They are training well; we have a good dynamic every day. In any circumstance, I am confident that whoever has to play will be ready.”

To be fair to Alonso, Chelsea have used 25 different players in the Premier League this season, and only Crystal Palace have used more (27) so far in the competition. Obviously, the minutes are spread in favour of the key players, but the manager has still given some opportunities to most players in the squad.

Chelsea also rank joint-sixth in most substitutions used (33) in the league this season, with Hull City (36) leading the charts. 

Unfortunately, the Blues are one of the five teams that are still without a goal from a substitute. This could point to both underwhelming impact from the bench and Alonso’s tendency to make late substitutions, hindering the ability of his substitutes to affect the game.

Regardless, it is difficult to justify chopping and changing the line-up when things are going well.

But it is not all bleak for the fringe players. Chelsea will play three games this week, and Alonso will therefore have to consider rotations.

While the manager is expected to stick with mostly the same starting XI that he used against Everton for Saturday’s derby against Tottenham Hotspur, there could be some room for fresher legs against Liverpool and Manchester United.

Estevao and Quenda, in particular, must be raring to go. The two teenagers recently addressed their limited minutes at Chelsea and their desire to prove themselves on the pitch. The long-awaited opportunities for meaningful minutes may come over the next week.