Rising Brazilian star Estevao Willian has admitted he has already enjoyed more first-team chances at Chelsea than he initially expected, crediting hard work in training and the faith shown by coach Enzo Maresca.
The 18-year-old winger, who arrived in west London this summer amid high expectations, revealed that Maresca’s trust has been key to his early impact.
“I’ve been given more opportunities than I thought I would, and that’s down to the effort I put in every day,” he said. “The manager believes in me, and I try to give everything back on the pitch.”
While adapting quickly to the Premier League, Estevao has leaned on the strong Brazilian contingent at Stamford Bridge, forging close ties with Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos on a daily basis.
He also highlighted the guidance he has received from established internationals on the national team, including Marquinhos, Alisson, Raphinha, Lucas Paqueta and Bruno Guimaraes.
Another key step in his adjustment has been language. The teenager confessed that his English has come on significantly since moving to London, largely thanks to his Brazilian teammates. “They actually push me to speak English all the time,” he smiled. “It’s been tough, but it helps a lot.”