Estevao Willian has explained why he joined Chelsea and snubbed transfer moves to the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The Blues announced in June 2024 that they’d signed the Brazil international teenager, who officially arrived at Chelsea this summer from Palmeiras.
Estevao, who cost €34m (£29.2m) plus €23m (£19.8m) in add-ons, is considered to be one of the best young footballers in the world.
The 18-year-old could’ve joined pretty much any club he wanted with Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona all registering an interest.
In a new interview on the Chelsea website, the winger has now lifted the lid on why he picked Stamford Bridge instead of the Emirates or Spain.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don’t miss the first edition.
‘Chelsea the best decision we could’ve made’
‘Their plans, the structure and the club – everything,’ Estevao said.
‘But mainly the plans and the project the club has is what interested me and my family, and I think it was the best decision we could have made.’
Estevao has also expressed his admiration for Chelsea legend Eden Hazard and hopes to follow in the footsteps of a number of Brazilian players who’ve featured for the Blues over the years – including Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Ramires, Oscar and Willian.
‘Eden Hazard is the one that I watched the most at Chelsea,’ Estevao added. ‘He’s ace.
‘[And] it’s a pleasure to be here where so many Brazilians made history.
‘I hope to follow those who wrote a beautiful story here at Chelsea just like they did.
‘After I had signed for Chelsea and in the final game of 2024, I played against Thiago Silva. He came and talked to me.
‘He said I was going to love the club, which has an incredible structure and is an incredible club. And now [I am here], I can see how amazing this club is.
‘[My long-term goals at Chelsea are] I want to win all the titles possible: the Premier League and the Champions League as well.
‘And personally, to be the best in the world and keep working hard so that these dreams come true.’
Chelsea’s new signing Estevao has been labelled the best Brazilian-born player since Neymar by Brazil’s World Cup winner Branco.
Neymar himself has waxed lyrical about Estevao, predicting the teen – already capped five times by Brazil – will prove himself as a ‘genius’.
Brazil legend Ronaldo, meanwhile, believes that Estevao is ‘kind of like’ Barcelona and Spain star Lamine Yamal.
