Chelsea’s ongoing negotiations to sign Pato, once the most sought after South American talent when he first burst onto the scene 10 years ago, proved just how desperate most European clubs are to find a good striker.
It is no coincidence that the 26-year-old’s name has been linked with so many clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan. These sides all have one thing in common – they need more strike power up front. It is remarkable that Chelsea has turned their attention to Pato – a player who never reached his potential and looks unlikely to do so – given they have already failed spectacularly by gambling on another costly big name in Radamel Falcao this season. Pato’s injury record during five years at AC Milan was poor and he hasn’t played since November for his current club Corinthians, so he seems a strange option.
While his rumored £11 million transfer fee and £35,000 weekly salary look a decent deal for Chelsea, it is even more pleasing for Corinthians who are desperate to get rid of him.
“We are praying day and night, hoping to sell Pato,” the club president, Roberto De Andrade, once said. Pato is such an expensive product that his maintenance has become a burden to the club. It would also be a great move financially for the man himself, but the truth is that it would make more sense for him to re-start his career at a mid-level European club rather than Stamford Bridge where players face huge pressure and expectation.
After joining in AC Milan in 2007, Pato quickly became the “next big thing” with his footwork drawing comparisons with Brazilian great Kaka. He quickly became a household name and it seems remarkable that he is still just 26 — two years younger than the Premier League’s leading goal scorer Jamie Vardy. At his best, Pato looks like he is able to score goals at will. He has very quick feet, just like Kaka, can dribble and possesses a lethal shot on goal.
The big problem though has been his injury record and subsequent lack of consistency. As a result, he never did live up to the “next big thing” tag. Perhaps a slightly smaller club like Lazio or Sunderland would better help rebuild his confidence, just like Bojan Krkić, the former Barcelona starlet, and one-time Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri, with both now impressing again at Stoke City.
Chelsea is a big club and the sort of place Pato once seemed destined for, but would it really be a good long-term choice for him? We anxiously wait to see.
