Alexandre Pato is not a gamble but admits it is up
to the Brazilian to prove he can succeed at
Chelsea.
Pato arrived in London on Wednesday to finalise
the details of a six-month move to Stamford
Bridge as the Premier League champions move to
provide further cover for first-choice striker Diego
Costa, who limped out of Sunday's 1-0 win over
Arsenal at Emirates Stadium with a minor knee
problem.
Questions have been raised about Pato's
imminent return to European football after a
previous five-year spell at AC Milan was brought to
an end by declining form, a succession of injuries
and accusations of a lack of focus.
However, Hiddink said signing the forward on loan
means Chelsea have little to lose, even if he
concedes that there are no guarantees the 26-
year-old will be able to adapt to the rigours of
Premier League football.
"It's not a gamble because it's a loan," Hiddink
said at a news conference ahead Chelsea's FA Cup
fourth-round clash with MK Dons.
"If you buy players who must make a next step
it's more of a risk. A loan is good for everyone -- to
see whether he is happy at this club and whether
the club is happy with him after his few months
in the upcoming time.
"He is in London. He was well spotted. Nowadays
there are no secrets. We don't want to hide. He is
now in the bureaucratic paperwork so we don't
rush it
. We'll see how soon it can be solved and
he can go on the pitch. We are waiting.
"It's good to have him on loan so we can see what
he can bring. When he comes in we have to allow
him time to settle down, to get used to a very
demanding league. Then it's up to him to make
this gap smaller and smaller.
"Now he has another chance to make a step in
Europe. It's a brave step and it's up to him. We'll
help him to get fit and see what he can bring to
this club."
Pato had been expected to complete the loan on
Thursday but the deal was delayed, with sources
telling ESPN Brasil that parent club Corinthians
are demanding a clause that would prevent the
forward from moving to any other English team
until the end of 2017 if Chelsea do not make the
move permanent this summer.
Corinthians requested that Pato, whose contract
with the Brazilian side is due to expire at the end
of 2016, be liable to pay €8-10 million if he were
to breach the agreement.
ESPN Brasil has been told that Pato's advisors
want him to accept the deal as the clause may
not stand in court and the amount demanded is
insignificant, but the player is currently unwilling
to do so.
Diego Costa has shaken off the injury he
sustained against Arsenal and is in line to start
against MK Dons as he bids to continue the
remarkable revival that has seen him score six
goals in his last six matches in all competitions
after netting just four times in 21 appearances
prior to Jose Mourinho's departure last month.
"I don't know what he did in the previous
games," Hiddink added. "I'm very pleased with
what he's doing now, his efficiency in scoring
goals. We're depending too much on him
sometimes but I'm very happy with his
performance and attitude. He's a key figure for
us, very nice to everyone outside the pitch and
he's focusing on his job."
Pato's expected arrival eases Hiddink's striker
shortage, with Radamel Falcao a long-term
absentee as he battles a "very serious" thigh
injury and Loic Remy troubled by a persistent calf
problem.
Sources have told ESPN FC that Newcastle United
have made an enquiry for the Frenchman, who is
said to be disillusioned about a lack of first-team
opportunities at Chelsea, and Hiddink refused to
rule out the possibility that Remy could leave
Stamford Bridge before Monday's transfer
deadline.
"He is injured for the moment," Hiddink said. "He
has a slight injury on his calf and we'll see what
will happen in the upcoming days. I don't think
being injured now has an influence on him
staying or going."
Source:espn
0 comments:
Post a Comment