Jamie Gittens Praises Estevão’s “Joga Bonito” Debut as Chelsea Eye Premier League Push
Chelsea’s 2-0 pre-season win over Bayer Leverkusen was filled with positives, but few moments drew as much attention as the dazzling debut of Brazilian teenager Estevão. Among those impressed was fellow new arrival Jamie Gittens, who praised the 18-year-old’s skill, flair, and match-winning impact.
Gittens, who joined the Blues just 10 days before the Club World Cup final, was forced to watch from the sidelines as his new teammates lifted the trophy in the United States.
“It was difficult because I wanted to be part of that team playing in that tournament,” Gittens admitted. “But I’m here now and that’s the main thing.”
On Saturday, he finally got the chance to share the pitch with Chelsea’s exciting new generation — and he didn’t hold back in his praise for Estevão’s debut goal.
“It was amazing. You’ve seen the Joga Bonito. He’s a great player with so much skill and attributes so it was great to see him play and score,” Gittens said. “We see it in training every day. He’s been here for a week and he’s already done mad things in training, so to see it today was just one part of him doing it every day.”
No Fear of Competition
With Chelsea boasting an abundance of attacking talent — particularly on the wings — breaking into the starting XI will be no easy task for Gittens. But the 20-year-old insists that internal competition is only going to make him and the team better.
“It’s going to help me be a better player in the future. Training feels like a game every day. You can’t have an off day. Having this competition will really help the team in general to be at a higher standard.”
Confidence Ahead of the New Season
After an impressive 2024/25 campaign under Enzo Maresca — winning the Europa Conference League, lifting the Club World Cup, and securing a return to Champions League football — Gittens believes Chelsea are ready to push for the biggest domestic prize of all.
“Yes, of course. We’re confident from the tournament we played in. Everyone’s feeling good so it will be a very exciting season for us to push ahead.”
With Estevão already making headlines, Gittens eager to make his mark, and Maresca’s squad brimming with young, hungry talent, Chelsea’s supporters have every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.
The Blues return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to face AC Milan in their next pre-season outing — another chance for fans to glimpse the future of the club in action.
Jamie Gittens Praises Estevão’s “Joga Bonito” Debut as Chelsea Eye Premier League Push
