Richarlison on his dramatic path from Brazil to Watford: 'A guy once pointed a gun at my face... now Neymar has offered to help me succeed in Europe'

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Watford star Richarlison has been an instant hit at Vicarage Road but his journey from Brazil to the Premier League was anything but smooth.

Richarlison, who has scored three goals in his first eight Premier League appearances, will line up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

But a trip to the champions won't faze the 20-year-old, who faced much scarier situations during his childhood on the rough streets of Nova Venecia.

Watford star Richarlison (left) has said that Neymar has offered to help him settle in Europe

Richarlison, 20, joined Watford from Fluminense in July and has made a strong start in England

He told The Telegraph: 'I remember when I was growing up in Brazil, a guy once pointed a gun at my face because he thought I was a drug dealer trying to steal his distribution point. That was my life. After that, playing Chelsea seems much easier!

'That sort of thing was natural in my life, so I was not scared at all. It was a pretty rough area: I saw drugs in front of me every day and gunshots as well.'

Richarlison, who arrived at Watford from Fluminense in the summer, scored on his first start for the Hornets.

He fired Watford in front en route to their first win over the season - a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth in August.

Richarlison was visibly delighted after opening his account for the Hertfordshire side, but his reaction after scoring his second goal for the club - a 90th-minute winner at Swansea - was even more emphatic.

He netted on his first start for Watford and has said: 'I almost cried after the first goal I scored'

Richarlison was raised in a rough area in Brazil. He said: 'I saw drugs in front of me every day'

'I almost cried after the first goal I scored,' he explained. 'It was very emotional. After the second, which came in the 90th minute, I took off my shirt. Troy Deeney told me in the dressing room that I would be fined because of that. That is all right, it was worth it.'

This weekend's trip to Chelsea will see Richarlison line up against some of his best friends in England.

He said: 'I go quite often to David Luiz's house, and Willian usually joins us, as they are close friends. We have a barbecue, play video games, and we cannot live without samba. David told me that I can score against everybody but Chelsea!'

Richarlison also met fellow Brazilian Neymar during a trip to Paris in August when the world's most expensive footballer offered to lend his support.

'We took a picture and he even asked if he could help me regarding my new life in Europe - it made my day,' Richarlison added.

Since moving to England he has spent a lot of time with Chelsea's David Luiz (left) and Willian

But Richarlison's friends will be his enemies on Saturday when Watford visit Stamford Bridge