THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Chelsea signed Alexandre Pato on loan from Corinthians in the January transfer window.
The forward had been viewed as one of the most exciting young players in Europe when he joined AC Milan in 2007 but his career stagnated in Italy after injury problems and he returned to Brazil in January 2013 having scored 63 goals in 150 appearances.
Once touted as Brazil’s next rising star, Pato has 27 caps and 10 goals for his country but he has not made a Brazil squad since 2013 and has never got close to reaching the heights of his early days with injuries and reportedly a poor attitude largely responsible for his career taking such a dramatic nosedive.
So it was something of a shock when Blues interim boss Guus Hiddink made his move for the now 26-year-old – who was, almost inevitably, injured at the time.
One month on and Pato is apparently no closer to making an appearance for Chelsea and, with fellow forwards Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy also sidelined with injury, Hiddink’s patience appears to be running a little thin.
The Sun reports: “Alexandre Pato is still not fit enough to play a month after joining Chelsea – and faces a battle to even get in the squad.
“The on-loan Corinthians striker has not played a minute for the Blues since Guus Hiddink signed him in January.
“And he is having to undergo “pre-season” levels of training – including double sessions – to get match sharp.
“Now Hiddink has warned the Brazil star – who instead has been busy growing a moustache – he is not even assured of a spot once he is fit.”
The signing made no sense at the time and regardless of who eventually fills the manager’s seat at Chelsea on a permanent basis, it looks certain Pato will not be in his plans for the future.
Hiddink hasn’t got a great deal wrong since his arrival at Stamford Bridge but we think if he had his time again, he’d steer well clear of Pato.
What do Blues fans think? A definite dud or are you prepared to wait and see what Pato has to offer if and when he’s fully fit?
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Football Advisor – bet with confidence.
Alan Frank
Feb 28, 2016 at 1:24 pm
Chelsea should steer clear of signing injured or returning from injury strikers. We pay these guys top dollar and end up carrying them and their wages. This phenomenon seemed to start with Torres who never returned to form after his last major injury at Liverpool. Falcao was another expensive (wages) gamble that didn’t pay off and now we have Pato. Why the club don’t either buy a fully fit, proven goal scorer or if one is not available, draft in one of our own young strikers (Bamford, Solanki) I’ll never know. Remi is a sick note and usually injured when we need him which just exasperates the problem. If Costa picks up a ban or gets injured we are truly stuffed which is not good enough for a club like Chelsea. Roman should learn the lesson and sort this out once and for all this summer.
Ezeoha sam
Feb 28, 2016 at 3:54 pm
Comment:chelsea should allow dominic solanke to prove himself,that guy is too good upfront,lets allow our boys do it for us.not injured strikers from other clubs.
Robin
Feb 28, 2016 at 5:12 pm
1 month still unfit? Or its just that Hiddink is contented wth Costa? Whatever it is,give Pato a chance to play and write him off then.How are we going to cope wth Costa in all the coming games? Youngsters like Bamford and Solanke are not entrusted at all.Look at United on youngstars!
smith
Feb 29, 2016 at 8:22 am
Comment:i don’t no why chelsea have spend more to get baba when we have ake on loan
kuni kitda
Feb 29, 2016 at 9:39 am
Comment:Chelsea should stop playing politics with signing players
simon
Feb 29, 2016 at 11:02 am
Comment:
izzy brown, Solanke, Bamford, Swift and Abraham are good strikers though young without experience. why cant we give them the experience at home?lets make our own stars made at Starmford Bridge.We like finished products. we keep on taljing about stones yet we have Ake, Kenneth Omeruo, Tomas kalas and others.Why?why?
Dwol South Sudan
Feb 29, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Let’s give our youngster a chance like others club.
Guus
dave
Mar 23, 2016 at 1:16 pm
Comment:let give a chance to the young player