Estevao explains why he rejected Man Utd transfer to affix Chelsea | Football

Estevao Willian joined Chelsea last summer (Picture: Getty)

Estevao Willian has explained why he rejected a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United before agreeing to affix Chelsea.

Chelsea agreed to sign Estevao in 2024 however the Brazilian teenage sensation only moved to Stamford Bridge last summer.

Estevao had made 83 appearances for boyhood club Palmeiras, scoring 27 goals, and was already been in comparison with Brazil legend Neymar.

Chelsea paid Palmeiras an initial £29m but add-ons could take the general value of the deal above £50m.

Estevao was not wanting options when it became apparent he can be leaving Palmeiras and, in accordance with The Sun, his representatives met several Premier League clubs to debate a move.

It’s claimed Manchester United, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest all expressed interest in a deal but missed out because the Brazil international selected to affix Chelsea.

‘My family went to other clubs but what caught my attention was Chelsea,’ Estevao told The Sun.

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Estevao joined Chelsea from Palmeiras last summer (Picture: Getty)

‘The project with Chelsea was different since it’s a team that, how can I say, It gives you more opportunities to be in the sport.

‘I believed Chelsea can be the proper future for me because it could get me more minutes.

‘I need to be amongst the very best players on the earth. I do know my potential and what I can offer to Chelsea and naturally to be amongst the very best players on the earth.’

Estevao has enjoyed a vibrant begin to his Chelsea profession, scoring seven goals and making two assists since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

His most up-to-date got here in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Hull City but Estevao has missed Chelsea’s two games since then through injury.

The 18-year-old can also be expected to miss Wednesday’s Premier League clash against top-four rivals Aston Villa, although Liam Rosenior has suggested his return is not going to be too far-off.

Deflating draws with Leeds United and Burnley and Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal has left Chelsea sixth within the table, six points outside the top-four places.

Chris Sutton expects Chelsea’s winless run to increase to 4 games after they visit Villa Park in midweek.

‘Aston Villa are on a terrible run and are going to fall out of the highest 4 at this rate,’ the previous Premier League striker told BBC Sport.

‘Chelsea usually are not exactly flying for the time being either, but their biggest problem is that they will’t keep 11 players on the pitch – they probably would have gotten something against Arsenal on Sunday if not for Pedro Neto’s silly red card.

‘It’s hard to back either team to get the win, so I’m going to sit down on the fence here and go together with a 1-1 draw.’

Aston Villa looked on the right track for a powerful third-place finish earlier within the season but Unai Emery’s side have won just considered one of their last five games to slide below in-form Manchester United.

Ollie Watkins scored two second-half goals as Villa got here from behind to beat Chelsea within the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge back in December.

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