Chelsea's New Brazilian Family: Santos, Estevão, and the Quest to Grow a Samba Legacy

Into Chelsea: a Brazilian bond that travels with the ball

Brazilian midfielder André Santos reveals the unique chemistry he shares with his fellow countrymen, Estevão and João Pedro, at Chelsea. The trio’s camaraderie goes beyond the training ground, helping them adapt to life in England and push for top performances on match days.

Santos says the group is rarely split, whether on the field or off it, and their friendship is a crucial factor in adjusting to life in England and delivering for the team.

In statements picked up by The Sun, he added: “We’re very happy to be together here. Chelsea has a strong history with Brazilian players, and now we’re here too, very happy and trying to enjoy every day.”

He continued: “Our relationship is wonderful. I’m very happy to have Estevão and João with me. We’re always together during training, and afterwards as well. For example, when we go to the team hotel before matches, I’m always with Estevão. I think our relationship is ideal.”

Santos emphasized that their bond goes beyond club life; they’re building a small family in West London to ease homesickness and the harsher feelings of being away from home.

“We cook our favorite dishes, listen to Brazilian music, and spend time together. We’ve created a little family here away from Brazil, and that makes everything easier,” he said.

He also recalled Chelsea’s tradition of hosting Brazilian greats, noting players like David Luiz, Ramires, Willian, Oscar, and Thiago Silva as historical references who helped forge the club’s Latin legacy. That legacy now inspires Santos, Estevão, and João Pedro to push Chelsea forward with talent, passion, and a familial spirit.

“Having them here makes everything easier. The team spirit and strong relationships off the pitch translate into better understanding on match days, which helps us all perform,” he added.

The start of something new

Santos marked his goal-scoring breakthrough for Chelsea by netting against Wolverhampton in the Carabao Cup (4-3), a game played in a slightly unfamiliar role for him.

“When I was young I played as number six, but the English league is a little different. I can play at six or eight. The most important thing for me is to help Chelsea and my teammates. If the coach asks me to play as a six, I’ll do my best; if he wants me a bit higher, I’ll give my all too,” he noted in prior remarks.

He highlighted his tactical flexibility as a key to adapting to the Premier League’s physical style and said he feels more mature and prepared now than in earlier stints.

He also spoke about Estevão, the 18-year-old who has emerged as one of Chelsea’s rising stars, helping him navigate life at the club and beyond. Santos explained that he speaks French, English, Portuguese, and Spanish, which helps him assist Estevão, and joked that sometimes he translates for his younger teammate because he knows how tough it is to settle in at 18.

“We are always together in training and off the pitch; we even go to the national team together and share many activities. Our relationship is perfect, and that’s crucial because it makes playing alongside each other natural,” he said.

Before Chelsea

Santos joined Chelsea in January 2023, before being loaned back to his former club in Brazil and then to Nottingham Forest in August of the same year. He described those early days as a tough but formative experience that helped him grow and mature for another crack at the Premier League.

“I was very young then—18 or 19. It was a hard experience, but I learned a lot. Now I feel more mature and ready to compete in the Premier League,” he said.

“I am very happy to return to the English top flight. This league is the best in the world. Playing here is a dream come true.”

Chelsea’s Brazilian footprint seems to be reawakening as Santos teams up with Estevão and João Pedro, merging talent, passion, and a sense of family to revive a Latin-infused Chelsea identity.

He concluded with a note of ambition: “We know what it means to represent Chelsea. We have big dreams to emulate what the Brazilian greats did at the club. The road ahead is long, but we live every day with the Samba spirit, and that makes everything easier.”

Punchlines for good measure

And if football ever runs out of goals, there’s always a career translating feijoada menus for the tour bus. Also: when life gives you a samba, you make a Chelsea playlist—the soundtrack to victory and vitamin-quick recovery after all those late nights at the hotel bar.