Joan Jordan targets Taca de Portugal glory with Estrela after Sevilla exit

Joan Jordan says winning the Taca de Portugal is his “dream” after joining Estrela, with the former Sevilla midfielder determined to bring experience and ambition to a young squad.

The 32-year-old made the move to Portugal after almost 250 LaLiga appearances, two Europa League titles and seven seasons at Sevilla. He said the club’s developing project, led by a German consortium including Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Yann Sommer, persuaded him to leave Spain for the first time.

“It seemed like a very interesting project to me,” Jordan told Flashscore. “I think the club is going to grow enormously, and that coincided with a point in my life when I needed a change.”

Jordan, who came through at Espanyol and established himself at Eibar before joining Sevilla, is living in Lisbon without his wife and children. He described that as the most difficult part of the move, but said the city’s connections with Seville allowed his family to visit regularly.

He also wanted a different football experience and believed Liga Portugal would suit his style. Estrela head coach Pepa, initially contacted through Fabio Cardoso during a complicated negotiation with Sevilla, later spoke directly to Jordan and outlined his role in the team.

The midfielder has been impressed by Pepa’s work and by the potential in an Estrela squad with an average age of under 24.

“He gives players tools to become better footballers, and there are not that many coaches who do it,” Jordan said. “The day-to-day work is excellent.”

Estrela endured a difficult battle to avoid relegation last season but began this campaign positively, drawing with Sporting before losing their final match before the international break. Jordan praised the team’s attacking quality but warned that defensive improvement would be essential.

The Portuguese side has scored and conceded heavily, prompting Jordan to call for better pressing, fewer opposition transitions and greater tactical discipline across the team.

Jordan said Spanish football was generally more structured tactically, while matches in Portugal were more open and allowed greater end-to-end freedom. He wants Estrela to retain its creativity while becoming harder to play against.

“We want transitions in attack, but we do not want the opposition to transition against us,” he said.

The midfielder believes Liga Portugal remains undervalued in Spain despite the individual talent it contains. He said the competition would grow further if its players’ ability was matched by stronger collective organisation.

Jordan is proud of spending so many years at the highest level, including playing in the Champions League, winning two Europa Leagues, appearing in the UEFA Super Cup and challenging for the Spanish title. He came close to a Spain call-up but said he felt no bitterness at missing out, given the strength of the midfielders ahead of him.

His experience at Sevilla, where he faced intense pressure and enjoyed major success, has shaped the message he now delivers to Estrela’s younger players. Jordan says mentality, ambition and high standards are crucial after seeing how confidence affected teams during his loan spell at Alaves.

“I arrived here this year and, although I know it is extremely difficult, my dream is to win the Taca de Portugal,” he said. “I want to win it.”

He hopes to be remembered at Estrela as a professional who helped young players improve, both on and off the pitch, and encouraged them to reject complacency.