In the league, Jonathas has eight goals (10th leading scorer) and gave five assists. He had a part in 13 of the 18 goals of his team. More than 60 percent of Elche’s goal of the fret of Jonathan.
Question: Your stats in the league are very good. Is this your best time in Europe?
Jonathan: It’s my best time in Europe and also the best time if you count Brazil. I came here for that purpose and things are happening. Of course it is difficult to play on a team struggling to avoid relegation. But I am happy at this stage.
Q: Some newspapers are reporting that Chelsea could bet on you as a new Diego Costa next season. It is true?
J: I saw these articles, but there was no proposal. West Brom was also mentioned. The morning before the game against Villareal a director was watching our training with the president. He was talking to Mario (Pasalic, Croatian player of 20 years on loan at Elche) and then I knew he was not there to accompany the player, but to observe me.
Q: And you think you have a style similar to Diego Costa that can open doors for you?
J: I think not. Diego found his place because he has quality and took advantage of the chance when he appeared at Atletico. I try to do the same, to work, to score goals and hope that chance will come.
Q: It is his sixth season in Europe. It’s different playing in Italy, Holland and Spain? And can you easily adapt to the countries?
J: For adaptation, we Brazilians always help in those moments. In Holland I had a hard time because my mother had a health problem. I returned to Brazil and almost dropped everything, then I think I did well in Italy and in Elche.
Q: And the games against Barca and Madrid? I imagine it must be very difficult to prepare for these matches being in a smaller club.
J: On the contrary, in these games there is no need for any extra motivation. When you will play against the world’s best, you spend the week thinking about it. Of course they are the most difficult games, but the preparation for them, emotionally, is the simplest.
