PHILADELPHIA, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Palmeiras manager Abel Ferreira has defended Chelsea-bound forward Estevao after the teenager admitted his imminent move is affecting his focus.

Estevao, widely seen as one of Brazil's brightest talents, admitted earlier this week that he felt "anxious" about leaving and that it had been difficult to stay "100 percent focused" on Palmeiras.

The remarks drew criticism, prompting Ferreira to launch a passionate defense of the 18-year-old on Friday.

"Sometimes, you [the press] need to have a little more empathy," he told reporters on the eve of Palmeiras' FIFA Club World Cup round of 16 match against Brazilian rivals Botafogo.

"If we all made an effort to put ourselves in his shoes, having turned 18 a few days ago, we would have more understanding. He's the same age as my daughter."

Estevao has made 81 appearances for Palmeiras since his professional debut last year, scoring 26 goals and providing 15 assists. He has already been capped five times for Brazil and is seen as a likely member of Carlo Ancelotti's squad at next year's World Cup.

But Ferreira warned that the pressure on Estevao, who is due to join Chelsea next month, could be damaging if not handled with care.

The Portuguese coach argued that Estevao's honesty should be praised, not condemned, and drew comparisons with the path of Endrick, another Palmeiras prodigy now at Real Madrid.

"Palmeiras, unlike many clubs, takes care of its players, that's why we make so many sales here," he said. "This happened to all of them, with Endrick, do you remember what happened? You helped Endrick a lot when he didn't play well by telling him that he had to go back to the B team. But Palmeiras takes care of the young and the old, protects them and helps them grow."

The Portuguese manager stressed that Estevao's words reflected a natural emotional response, not a lack of commitment.

"He's so pure and naive that he said what he's really feeling," he said. "And if we all made this little effort of empathy, everyone would understand that it's natural. As long as I'm with him, I'll enjoy watching him play. Have you forgotten what he's done at the age of 18?"

"It's normal for a kid who had a dream and is seeing it come true. But sometimes we can't tell the truth." ■