History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

DECO: CHELSEA CAN GO ALL THE WAY

Chelsea can go all the way and win the Champions League this season, believes the Blues' star midfielder and two-times winner Deco.

The Portuguese, who arrived in the summer from Barcelona, was a key player when José Mourinho's Porto lifted Europe's biggest prize in 2004 and two years later with the Catalan giants.

And if Chelsea make it though to the final in Rome in May the 31-year-old hopes Chelsea will face one of his former clubs - Barca or Porto - or Mourinho's new team, Inter Milan.

"I would really like to play against Barcelona or Porto in the final of the Champions League," said Brazilian-born Deco.

"These are the two important clubs in my life and it would be a very special day if it were to happen, especially as I am seeking my third Champions League title with a different club.

"Barca are playing really well now and they will be very difficult to beat. Also Mourinho's Inter will be a tough rival in any round. It would be the best thing for me if I were to be reunited with a friend like José.

"This Chelsea team have the quality and class to win the Champions League, however we have to improve in some aspects. There is still plenty of time left for us to improve and the coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, will make sure we are ready."

Labels: Barcelona, Champions League, Chelsea, Deco, football, Internationalize Milan, Jose Mourinho

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:11 pm | Permalink | Comments

SCOLARI'S BRAZILIAN WAY

Luiz Felipe Scolari has wasted no time in stamping his colourful personality on Chelsea, having been at the club for a mere six weeks. At Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon he takes charge of the Blues for the first time in a competitive fixture, and a 30-year-old boy from Brazil, Deco, is sure to be the heartbeat of Scolari's team, as they attempt to begin their Premier League campaign with victory over FA Cup winners Portsmouth.

Scolari, who conducted Brazil's 1994 World Cup success, insists that central midfielder Deco - the only signing hitherto made by the 59-year-old - is the key to Chelsea's domestic and global domination. The São Paulo-born naturalised Portuguese, who signed from Spanish giants Barcelona for €10m in June, was the only name on Scolari, his former national coach's wish list.

"When Chelsea contacted me, I told them: 'I want one player: Deco'," says Scolari, who explains that full-back José Bosingwa was the club's signing. "I told them that if Chelsea wanted to win, then we needed to change something; we needed Deco.

"He is one of the most crucial players in the team - Deco is the man who gives balance to the team, his technique and control is fantastic. He allows the other players more time and he dictates play.

"Deco plays differently to the others. He has time to shoot, to stop the ball, time to touch and pass. His character is different to others too. It is import for us because with him we will play better football."

In what will be music to Chelsea owner and aesthete Roman Abramovich's ears, the new manager has vowed to sprinkle some Brazilian magic on the road to glory. Scolari continued: "The idea is to play and pass as in Brazilian football. I know English football is different, but we must learn from the Brazilians how to control, touch and pass the ball."

There will even be a Brazilian touch in the dressing room, as Scolari has flown over a famous sports psychologist to help his relationship with his Chelsea players and to help calm their stress levels. Regina Brandao, who has worked with Scolari for 10 years, has already complied detailed dossiers on all squad members.

"Now that I am here in London, she has some principle ideas for the future," Scolari added. "She met the players, has lots of information, and said some words to them. If I feel it is necessary in the future, she will come again to England to help me and the players. You will see in the future how my way is at Chelsea."

Labels: Chelsea, Deco, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Portsmouth, Premier League

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:18 pm | Permalink | Comments

JOSE COULD RUIN CHELSEA'S BID FOR DECO

Jose Mourinho could get one over his former employers Chelsea by taking Portuguese playmaker Deco from Barcelona to Inter Milan.

The unsettled 30-year-old, who has spent four years at the Camp Nou, has been unable to pin down a regular starting place this last season through injury and lack of form.

And the Brazilian-born star has hinted that he will move to either Inter, where his former Porto manager Mourinho has recently taken the reins, or Stamford Bridge after Euro 2008.

"There are two possibilities at the moment, and they are Chelsea and Inter," Deco said. "But no deal has been closed. I want to have my future sorted and in Italy they say that Inter have the advantage [over Chelsea] as they are willing to offer Barcelona money and (Serbian midfielder) Dejan Stankovic.

"Without doubt my relationship with Jose Mourinho is excellent and that will count for something. But it is necessary to evaluate many other things. Inter are a good team and that is attractive to any player with aspirations.

"But at Chelsea there are also several friends of mine like Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Henrique Hilário and now José Bosingwa.

"But wherever I go I will insist that the decision must be mine alone. I will not go to a club that doesn't interest me and where I can't continue winning titles, which is my objective. I will speak with my manager Jorge Mendes and work out what the best thing to do is."

Labels: Chelsea, Deco, football, Internationalize Milan, Jose Mourinho

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 3:35 pm | Permalink | Comments