Posts Tagged ‘Deco’

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Deco: We can win the League

December 31st, 2008

Portugal midfielder, Deco, is extremely confident that Chelsea has the potential to get back into the Premier League title hunt.

Blues have now slipped 3 points behind league leaders, Liverpool, after they failed to grab full points from their previous game against Fulham.

Their West-London rivals managed a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side has secured only one victory from their 4 previous games.

However, the charismatic midfielder continues to believe that Chelsea can turn things around in the New Year. He claims, ‘I accept that we haven’t been playing to our standards in the past few games.’

‘We have missed several chances of moving to the top of the league table. However, the time that matters the most for being at the top is the end of the season. I feel that we have the team, who can finish as Premier League Champions.’

Speaking on Chelsea Boss, Deco said, ‘Scolari hasn’t changed since his days at Portugal. I still believe that he’s as strong as he was then. I find him handling us in the same manner, as he was doing earlier in the season that earned him praise from everyone.’

‘We still have a long season to go. It is always a big test playing in England in the second half, as things can get exciting in the closing stages.’

‘This is the time when we made a comeback in the previous season. I believe we have the talent to do one better by winning the League in this season.’

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Premier League

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Carvalho sidelined with damaged ligament

September 23rd, 2008

Knee injury of Ricardo Carvalho can rule him out for the coming month, which has given a major setback to Barclays Premier League title challenge of Chelsea.

30-year old suffered damage in medial collateral ligament during his side’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Carvalho was taken off only after 12 minutes of the clash.

Medical staffs of the Blues have estimated that the trouble might keep the player out of action for at least 3-4 weeks.

Another Chelsea player, Deco, suffered an injury during warm-up. According to officials, this tear in thigh muscle of Portuguese star might take at least a fortnight for getting fully healed.

Chelsea Boss Luiz Felipe Scolari might not be worried for Deco, as he has got an adequate replacement in the form of Brazilian Mineiro, who is a free agent at Stamford Bridge.

However, ‘Big Phil’ will be worried for the loss that he has suffered in the form of Carvalho. Despite a solid performance from Alex in the drawn game, he might not give relief to Scolari.

With Essien, who is out for six months, also on the injured list for Chelsea, Former Brazil’s World Cup winning manager has a lot to think about in the coming months.

Speaking to the press, Scolari said ‘The speed and reaction of Carvalho is praiseworthy.’

‘The sense of smelling a ball in his vicinity is a gift that only he has. I have even seen him guess the move of forward players from their footwork. His absence will be a big loss in the coming games.’

If Carvalho takes a full month break, he will either be back during the Champions League tie against Roma or the all-important Liverpool game in the Premier League.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Premier League

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Deco ‘surprised’ by Robinho’s City move

September 8th, 2008

Chelsea playmaker Deco has today stated that he was indeed taken in for a big surprise, as Real Madrid star Robinho made a move to Mark Hughes managed Manchester City that has recently got new owners, Abu Dhabi headed by Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim.

Deco has expressed his doubts regarding the amount of European football the 24-year old could get to play representing a side which, just 6 years ago, was playing in the English second division.

The Brazil born Portuguese midfielder, who scored two goals in Chelsea’s first three matches this season has reportedly said that leaving Real Madrid to join Chelsea was one thing and joining City is something that is not expected from a player in his right senses!

Robinho’s move has, just like Manchester City’s high profile take over by the Gulf Company, raised many eyebrows.

He has even attracted criticism from the former Brazil legend and one of all time football greats, Pele, who reportedly said that all Robinho needs is some sound advice.

It is presently being told that the present City owners had tried buying Arsenal before coming over to Manchester.

However, negotiations came off to nothing as they were being made to pay for the shares in premium for the expected 24% share.

On being asked, Dr. Al Fahim has told that including his meeting with one of Arsenal’s biggest shareholders, he also tried talking with the owners of Liverpool and Newcastle, but to no avail.

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Posted in Football Transfer Market, Manchester City

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Wegner: Robinho might debut against Spurs

August 29th, 2008

According to reports, Robinho, Real Madrid forward, would be able to complete his €36 m (£28.7 m) transfer deal for Chelsea in due time for debuting in a home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Wegner Ribeiro, agent of the Brazilian International, believes that his client should be wearing the Blue jersey for training as early as Friday and can play for the club in their weekend game.

Robinho was amongst the main targets of Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, when he took the charge at Stamford Bridge.

Peter Kenyon, chief executive of Chelsea, felt similar to coach Scolari’s view and stated that with Robinho in their ranks, they can become a team that can decimate any opposition.

Robinho is expected to put on No. 7 short, which was vacated after the departure of Ukrainian Andriy Shevchenko, who rejoined his former club AC Milan for £ 30m.

Scolari has already signed Deco from Barcelona in one of the most noted signings of the season. Portuguese player has already created an impact with the club by scoring two goals in first two games for his club.

The Blues are already topping the table on goal difference with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Portsmouth in Stamford Bridge and a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in Britannia Stadium.

With a possibility of Robinho and Deco playing together in their squad and players like Frank Lampard & Joe Cole in great form, Scolari’s men has all the possible ingredients to run away with all the spoils of the season.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market

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Chelsea Vs Wigan Athletic: Deco scores his second to take Chelsea through 1-0

August 25th, 2008

Although the flair with which they rotted Portsmouth 4-0 was missing in this encounter, still Chelsea came up with the goods by defeating Wigan Athletic 1-0 in a Sunday matchup at The JJB Stadium.

It was another excellent performance by their new draftee Deco, who scored his second goal in his second game at the London Club.

The Portuguese midfielder, who has already been tagged amongst the best European transfer of the season, scored within three minutes of the game from a free kick, as the Blues barely came home with three points against a strong Lactics side.

There were several attempts from the Stamford Bridge Side with Terry, Anelka, Ballack and Deco all gunning at opponent’s goal. Still, a strong show by Wigan on their home ground gave very little scope for Chelsea to show the same wrath that had Pompey crawling on the ground.

Luiz Felipe Scolari was happy with the performance of his side, even though they failed to make the score beyond 1-0.

He felt that his side was unlucky at stages. He also praised Wigan for their determined defense throughout the game and gave very little to the Blue to work upon.

Meanwhile at City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City romped to a 3-0 win over 10-men Hammers, as they removed the shadows of their disappointing performance at Villa Park. It was Brazilian Elano, who struck twice, and Petrov, both of whom were instrumental in City win. West Ham’s Mark Noble was sent off in the first half, after he received his second yellow card of the game.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Premier League

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Kenyon: No contract extensions for Drogba, Cole till 2009

August 16th, 2008

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and England winger Joe Cole will not get their contracts extended at Chelsea this year, according to chief executive of the club, Peter Kenyon.

Both players, who have been instrumental in the team’s success in recent times, have two years each to stay at the club.

Drogba, the striker who has wasted most of this summer ‘ thinking ‘ whether or not to stay at Stamford Bridge, had recently made his mind to stay.

He missed Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Asia followed by an off-season tournament in Russia.

According to club officials, the striker will not be getting fresh contracts before next year.

Like Drogba, attacking winger Joe Cole has also been kept away from a new contract, at least for now.

Both Drogba and Cole were not as lucky as Frank Lampard, who has got a considerable rise in wages from his extension. The midfielder, who decided to stay with the Blues after continuous pursuit by Inter Milan, is expected to earn more than 150,000 pounds per week.

Chelsea, this season, has been working extra time to generate a good squad, and have made a brace of high profile signings in Portuguese internationals Jose Bosingwa and Deco.

According to Kenyon, both Drogba and Cole will get a chance for their respective extensions only after this year.

He has insisted that Chelsea is not becoming inactive in the transfer window, with a few possible signings, which include a hopeful one of Robinho from Real Madrid.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Premier League

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Scolari aims at all four trophies in his first season at Stanford Bridge

July 31st, 2008

New Chelsea manager Luiz Philipe Scolari has said that he will aim on winning all four trophies with Chelsea this season.

In Malaysia for the club’s pre season campaign, the former World Cup winning coach said that he has set up a target of minimum one trophy.

He acknowledges that the club reached three finals last year without a proper manager and things can only get better with changes in the team as well.

Chelsea lost the Carling Cup to Tottenham Hotspur, before losing the Premiership and the UEFA Champions League to Manchester United.

Claude Makelele has left Stamford Bridge to join PSG, Hernan Crespo and Steve Sidwell who is now with Aston Villa, whereas additions to the squad this year include world class playmaker Deco and defender Jose Bosingwa, who are both Portugal internationals.

Until now, Chelsea have won both their pre season matches and scored a total of 11 goals against their oppositions, not to mention the tough pre-season campaigns that their rivals from Premiership are having around the globe including Manchester United. He even waved off the criticism of his side being too old to make it big this season.

It seems ‘ironic’ that Deco, who is a Brazil born player, was never included in the Brazil team by the then coach Scolari, and then represented Portugal. Even today Scolari believes it is the biggest regret to him as a coach. Now, it is in a way ‘iconic’ that Scolari and Deco are together to set the stage on fire.

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Kaka move to Chelsea gets thumbs down

July 24th, 2008

AC Milan has finally sealed all the news regarding a Kaka transfer, at least for now. The club was reportedly offered a huge amount of money by Chelsea. However, they have refused, bringing all the speculation and wild guesswork to an end.

Looking at the condition Chelsea are already in, this try to get Kaka is no more than another ‘business minded’ plan by the Russian owner Roman Abramovich, since the club has already three attacking midfielders in Englishman Frank Lampard, German Michael Ballack and the newly acquired Brazil-born Portuguese international Deco.

However, this may seem to be a great investment for the ‘not-so-near’ future, since both Lampard and Ballack have said that they are in no great hurry to sign contract extensions at Stamford Bridge. With their contracts left for only a year each, it can be a dangerous position for the Blues.

Chelsea, during this transfer season lost some key players in Hernan Crespo and Mekalele, and potentially good youngster Steve Sidwell.

Still, according to executive Peter Kenyon, the London Club is not interested in pursuing this deal as they know the Italian side is not interested.

In an English transfer season which seems to be plagued by ‘refusals’ rather than transfers and ‘complaints’ by managers for conduct, which they too are later accused of, it is not a rare thing to see. Much of the transfers are hyped more than required, just to be refused in the coming days.

Whether or not this seemingly cancelled deal is bagged by Chelsea, they have a great side and seem to be in great shape in their pre-season in China. Premiership teams – Beware!

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Scolari accepts gamble to bring world-class football Chelsea

July 14th, 2008

Former Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted the fact that Chelsea has surely “gambled” by choosing him to be the new manager for the upcoming season. However, he also insisted that he will be striving hard for repaying the London based club by getting extraordinary football at Stamford Bridge.

Scolari was named successor of former Chelsea’s coach Avram Grant in the middle of the Euro 2008, when he was managing Portugal. Despite having some good records which includes the world cup victory with Brazil, people doubted Scolari on his lacking knowledge of the European clubs football in top flight.

The 59-year old Scolari have told the media that his focus will be confined on European success and has not chosen to cast his net wider. He continued to say that his pressure will not only be to win just Champions League, but to desire to be world class as always.

He added that he wants his players to get motivated to do good not only in Champions Cup, but also in other competitions like the FA Cup, Premier League and the Carling Cup. He insisted saying that he is not afraid of his job and will try his best to bring glory to Chelsea.

With his latest acquisitions including Portugal midfielder Deco and almost standing in front of the transfers of stars Didier Drogba & Frank Lampard from Stanford Bridge, he looks all set to make an impact in his first tenure with an English Club.

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Christiano Ronaldo

June 20th, 2008

 Christiano Ronaldo: Inter also showing interest in United’s Star Winger

There has been a lot of speculation over the future of Manchester United and Portugal star, Christiano Ronaldo. There has been a rife all through this summer for the current FIFA Player of the Year. However, the major focus has tilted upon the debate in between Real Madrid and Manchester United, his current club.

Now there is another twist in the tale, as yet another European Club is seemingly in the race for this wonderful winger from Portugal.

Jose Mourinho, new manager of Inter Milan, is sure to start the coming season with some fresh faces and has Deco (Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Chelsea) & Frank Lampard (Chelsea) topping his wish list. Inter Manager might also add the name of the Portuguese winger, if the club will be offered big money from Nerazzuri, which has been in the news for long. However, it seems unlikely for him to sign the player, as Spanish Giants clear desire for him.

The only advantage with Mourinho is that he shares the same agent with Ronaldo, Jorges Mendes, who might simplify negotiations between Star of Old Trafford & former boss of Chelsea. Again, there are reports that both of them share respect for one another, which might encourage the move.

Manchester United is continuing to fervently deny their willingness for selling him. Still, with the massive bid from Real Madrid going along with another one from Inter Milan, it is very much unlikely to see Christiano Ronaldo in the Red Devil’s jersey this season.

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Posted in Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market, General, Inter Milan, Man U, Premier League, Premiership

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