When I first walked into Chelsea’s dressing room, I knew things would feel different compared to Brighton. At Brighton, I was the player who carried a lot of responsibility. I was trusted to make the difference, and in many ways, I was seen as the main guy. So naturally, there was a little voice in my head that wondered how my move to Chelsea would be received. Big clubs are filled with stars, and Chelsea already had one in Cole Palmer.
To be honest, I was a little nervous about how Cole might react to me joining. It wasn’t about doubting his character, but rather about the dynamics between two attacking players who had both been central to their teams. I thought: Would he see me as competition? Would my arrival affect the role he was already thriving in? Those questions stayed with me during my first days.
But then I quickly realised something important: Cole is not just any player; he’s a superstar. And by superstar, I don’t just mean his ability to score goals, create chances, and dominate games — although he does that brilliantly. What struck me was his confidence and maturity, especially for someone still so young. He doesn’t carry himself with arrogance, but with a natural authority that makes you feel he was born for big stages.
That’s why I made it a point to approach him directly. I said: “Cole, I’m here to help you.” I wanted him to know that my goal wasn’t to overshadow or compete with him. I wasn’t here to replicate my Brighton role where everything went through me. Instead, I came to Chelsea with the belief that we could complement each other, push one another to higher levels, and in doing so, bring more success to the club.
Football at the highest level is rarely about individual brilliance alone. Yes, there are stars who shine, but no player truly wins titles on his own. It takes partnerships, understanding, and the willingness to sacrifice ego for the greater good. By telling Cole that I was there to help, I was also setting a standard for myself: to embrace teamwork, to blend my game with his, and to build something that benefits Chelsea above all.
Cole has that rare quality where he can take responsibility without letting it overwhelm him. He wants the ball in decisive moments, he thrives under pressure, and he makes those around him better. Playing with someone like that excites me, because it means I don’t always have to carry the weight alone, and neither does he. Together, we can share that responsibility. That’s why I truly believe we can win more titles for Chelsea — not because of individual talent alone, but because of the chemistry and balance we can build.
Then there’s Estevão. What can I even say about him? When you see a player that young — just 18 years old — already performing at such a high level, it’s both shocking and inspiring. I remember Tosin coming to me after a training session and saying: “João, wow. Estevão is amazing.” And he was right. You don’t often see players who can step onto the pitch at that age, represent both Chelsea and Brazil, and look completely at home.
Watching Estevão play, you get the sense that he was born for this. He has flair, confidence, and fearlessness. He takes on defenders without hesitation, he makes the kind of runs you normally expect from players with years of experience, and he plays with joy — the kind of joy that reminds you why football is so beautiful.
When I compare him to Vinícius Júnior, it’s not just because they’re both Brazilian. It’s because I see that same spark, that same explosive ability to change a game in an instant. Vinícius arrived at Real Madrid as a teenager and, despite the pressure, grew into one of the best players in the world. Estevão has that same potential. To already be representing Brazil at his age shows just how special he is, and the fact that he’s doing it while also wearing Chelsea blue makes it even more exciting for us as teammates.
What excites me the most about Estevão isn’t just his talent, though. It’s his mentality. So many young players have skill, but very few have the mindset to match it. Estevão wants to learn, he listens, and he works hard. He doesn’t just rely on his natural ability — he wants to refine it, improve it, and grow every day. That’s what separates good prospects from true stars.
For Chelsea, having players like Cole and Estevão alongside experienced names is the foundation of something special. You look around the dressing room and you see a mix of youth and talent, energy and ambition. It creates an atmosphere where everyone feels pushed to give their best. I came here to contribute to that environment, to add my own strengths, but also to grow by learning from players like Cole and witnessing the rise of talents like Estevão.
Sometimes people from the outside don’t realise how important these dynamics are. They see the goals and the highlights, but inside the team, it’s the relationships, the trust, and the shared belief that make the difference. For me, knowing that Cole sees me as a teammate rather than a threat, and seeing Estevão already making such a big impact, fills me with optimism.
The journey won’t be easy. Winning titles in England and Europe never is. But when you have players of Cole’s calibre leading the way, and young stars like Estevão emerging with such promise, it gives you confidence. Add to that the spirit we’re building — one where players support each other instead of competing for the spotlight — and you start to believe that Chelsea’s future really can be golden.
