Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
Xabi Alonso admits Chelsea struggle to maintain quality over course of full game
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakout first season at Stamford Bridge last term following a £29million transfer from Palmeiras but has struggled for minutes so far under new manager Xabi Alonso.
However, Chelsea supporters have developed a strong bond with Estevao, who scored key goals against Liverpool and Barcelona last season and whose fearless style of play has produced what the player himself describes as an “affection” for him.
Estevao is hopeful of a long and successful career at Chelsea and has become an established Brazilian international during his time in west London.
He is the subject of a new 30-minute documentary titled ‘I Am Estevao’, which was released on Thursday (October 15) via Chelsea’s paid-for subscription service ‘Chelsea+’.
The documentary involves interviews with key figures at Chelsea as well as in Estevao’s own career development, including his mother, Etienne Almeida, and his father, Ivo Goncalves.
Asked when he realised that he wanted to be a footballer, Estevao said: “I didn’t realise. I was born with it.
“We had this dream of [me] playing in a professional club in Europe. I waited almost a year to come here [to Chelsea, after the pre-agreed signing]. But it was a year-and-a-half where I worked hard.”
Estevao went on to describe Chelsea as “a place I always dreamed of being”, and opened up on his growing relationship with the Blues’ fanbase.
“Despite the short time, I see how much affection Chelsea fans have for me,” the teenager said.
“I think this affection makes me feel at home, makes me love this club more. Every time I meet the fans, they always talk to me.
“It makes me happy to know they like me, and so I try to repay that on the pitch, to make them happy, which is the most important thing.”