SWANS: ‘Almost a no-brainer’ — Eustáquio on the call from Matos that brought him to Swansea

One phone call settled it.

Stephen Eustáquio, 29, had spent four years at Porto, playing Champions League football and winning league titles, and had captained Canada through much of a home World Cup this summer. Then Vitor Matos rang.

“A big part of my decision to come here was obviously the coach. I know what type of work he does. I know how much he means to the Swansea fans as well,” he said during his first interview since arriving in south Wales.

“For me, it was an easy pick when he called me saying that he really wanted to give me the opportunity to play for Swansea. It was almost like a no-brainer for me. I know what I’m going to get, so I’m very happy that I made this decision.”

The 29-year-old is clear about what he has come to do.

“It’s just the dream of playing for a big club to get back to the top league. It’s going to be very hard, but at the same time, if you think game by game, it’s very possible to create a special atmosphere here in the stadium,” Eustáquio said. “It might be a special season, who knows?”

A World Cup summer

Eustáquio arrives off the back of the biggest few weeks of his career, having scored a late winner against South Africa in the last 32 as Canada went further than they ever had at a World Cup on home soil.

“Those moments are very special. This summer was amazing, obviously, for us as a country. Canada, it was a dream come true to go so far in such an amazing tournament,” he said.

“The fact that we broke some records was amazing, and that I was able to help the team with that goal against South Africa was really a big motive for happiness.”

Asked what supporters can expect, his answer was less about technique than temperament.

“I’m a very hard worker. I like to enjoy my football as well. I think that I’m a very technical player, but at the same time, if I had to make a decision, it’s to be a warrior on the pitch,” he said.

“Being that type of player brought me very far and I just want to continue with that profile. My family always taught me the best things, to be very humble and to work hard, and that got me to big places.”

‘I knew I had a lot of distance to cover’

The route to Porto was not a straight line. As a young player Eustáquio moved to Mexico with Cruz Azul, where a serious knee injury left him a long way from home and a long way from football.

“I think the player that I am today, it wouldn’t happen if I didn’t go through that experience,” he said.

“I think I did that very well, and then after that, once my body was correct, I knew I had a lot of distance to cover, so that’s what I did. Thank God that I got to this stage right now.”

What followed was four years at one of Europe’s more demanding addresses.

“I think a player that plays in Porto really has the experience that they can play in any club in the world. The pressure is very high, the demands are very high, the standard is high,” Eustáquio said.

“I’m very grateful for my experience with Porto. At this time, I really want to thank them as well, and hopefully I can bring all that experience here to Swansea.”

‘There’s no days off’

The Canada international has done his homework on what he has walked into.

“For me, it’s just the fact that there’s no days off. Every day is important, every metre is important, every decision is important for the team,” he said.

“I know that you guys know better than me that the Championship, it’s a lot of games, a lot of dirty moments in the game, a lot of pitches that are very tough, but we still have to get a result.

“To bring that experience when the team needs to step up or needs to breathe a little bit, hopefully I can get that timing right and help the team the best way possible.”

Matos has already confirmed the midfielder is fit and available, and Eustáquio could be involved at Derby County on Saturday. If not, the first home game of the run is Watford’s visit on Tuesday night.

“I’m looking forward to it. I really want to be calm, because the last couple of days have been a little bit overwhelming, but at the same time, I think that I’m at a stage right now where I’m fully fit and prepared. If the coach wants me to play, I’m ready for it,” he said.

“I think it’s going to be an amazing experience to play in front of our fans. Hopefully my family is going to be there as well to support me. I have the full recipe to do good games and hopefully that’s what’s going to happen.”