Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Deco - Chelsea’s Advantage Over United?
Despite reports yesterday claiming Manchester City were still hopeful of signing Ronaldinho this summer, it appears as though the Brazilian’s heart is set on Chelsea, to team up with the manager who guided his country to World Cup glory in 2002.
“It is marvellous that Felipao (Scolari) is interested in signing me because he is an excellent coach,” Ronaldinho said yesterday. “I have a lot of respect for him because I have known him since I was very young and he was coach of Gremio. If the chance came up to work with him again then it would be very good. We have a history together in the game, we won the World Cup, and that is something I will never forget.”
A move to Chelsea would also see Ronaldinho link up with his former teammate, Deco, who completed his transfer to the Blues earlier this week.
There is also the possibility that Barca striker, Samuel Eto’o, could make a move away from the Nou Camp this summer, and has been linked with a deal at Chelsea. The Cameroon striker is currently on holiday and on his return will talk to the club about his future. With the manager already confirming that Eto’o is not a part of his plans and Barcelona declaring an interest in Arsenal’s Adebayor, there is every chance he will be tempted by Roman’s rubles.
Manchester United are facing the possibility of losing Ronaldo this summer, and following a nail-biting close finish in May, could these Barca men spell trouble for the Reds next season?
Deco
The Brazilian playmaker’s best days of his career are behind him and he already has two Champions League winners medals to his name.
He has proven time and again what an important player he can be in his team’s success, most notably being named Man of the Match in Porto’s European Cup final win.
That aside, he’s a nasty, cheating little git and I’m pretty gutted I’m going to have to watch him play week in week out in the weekend’s football highlights. I have a deep running dislike of the player, going back to his days at Jose Mourinho’s Porto.
For a creative midfielder, he picks up a ridiculous number of fouls and yellow cards, and when you’re not being wowed by his skill (painfully I’ll admit that he has it) you’re left cringing by his play acting. Even JT agrees!
Had Chelsea made this signing three years ago, I’d be feeling slightly hot under the collar. Whilst not writing him off completely, to come from a lifetime of playing in the Portuguese and Spanish leagues to the Premiership will be incredibly difficult.
Imagining that he does adapt quickly though, he won’t be a threat for long. At 30-years-old, he doesn’t have long left before he’ll leave top flight football, which Chelsea seem to be more than aware of considering his contract with the club is for just two years.
Ronaldinho
The two-time winner of the World Player of the Year award has sadly lost his passion for the game in recent years, preferring the partying lifestyle and celebrity status that comes with being the best at one you do. Had Peter Kenyon not screwed up royally in 2003, the Brazilian could be one of ours, and under the watchful eye of Sir Alex Ferguson, who knows what kind of player Ronaldinho could be today.
Last season he scored just 9 goals, in comparison to the 23 and 25 he scored in the two years preceding. It was a campaign ravaged by injuries and not aided by his lack of fitness.
At the close of the season, the Barcelona president claimed that the only way the Brazilian could return to his form of years gone by would be to undertake a new challenge at a different club. Despite interest from City, Chelsea stand as favourites to sign him, and the 28-year-old has time left to reinvent his career.
No doubting his incredible skill, there are definite questions over whether he can endure the physicality of the Premiership, as well as get himself ‘up for’ Chelsea’s winter trips up to the likes of Hull and Bolton.
If he has the determination to prove himself once again though, Ronaldinho could be a serious threat to United and any other team challenging for the title.
Eto’o
The Cameroon striker has been a prolific scorer in La Liga, netting a total of 91 goals in his 135 appearances for Barcelona. Whilst like with Deco and Ronaldinho he runs the risk of failing to adapt to our league, this is a player who could be absolutely deadly.
He was handled effectively in our semi-final against Barcelona this season, but his 20 goals in 24 appearances last season suggest he had much better luck against other opposition.
All three Barcelona men come with the positives and negatives, but fortunately for United, their arrival at Chelsea would signal the departure of other stars. As unlike-able as I find Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, there is no denying their effectiveness for the Blues. Between them, they have scored 192 goals for Chelsea over the past 4 years, which averages out at 24 goals a season each. The signings of Deco, Ronaldinho and Eto’o would surely only be as replacements for these two aforementioned players, who both stand every chance of joining up with Mourinho again at Inter Milan. In short, they would not be bought as players to boost the squad, rather replace players who are leaving.
Lampard and Drogba are both proven players in the Premiership, so it is risky business to find their replacements in foreign leagues.
It is also important to note that we have once before seen an influx of “world class” players to Stamford Bridge, when Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack and Andrei Shevchenko all joined the club in the summer of 2006. With United only signing Michael Carrick and selling on Ruud van Nistelrooy, the press didn’t even envisage us finishing in the top 3. Big names don’t necessarily mean big prizes though, which was proven when United went on to win the league at the end of that season.
Whatever effect these signings, if they do happen, would have on United’s title campaign, there is one thing for certain… the Premier League will be considered even stronger with their presence, and Match of the Day should make more entertaining viewing!
Scott runs the Republik of Mancunia blog and forum.
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Plz man utd signs the best strickers as our team needs just them,,,,huntelaar,benzema,berbatov or david villa…sign just two of them and we will win every cups on the planet.
Feizal,Mauritius
What a well written and balanced article, which I find myself agreeing with almost in its entirity.
If we did sign those three players (or substitute David Villa for Eto’o) then I think next season will be a humdinger. You are right to point out that Lamps and the diving Drog would be a miss, but last season we came very close and neither players were at their prolific best with injuries and african nations cup.
lol a rather baised article.deco is one of the best in the world and tough i agree he is getting rather old at the 7.9mil chelsea purchased him for surely he is worth the money…
I’d gamble on Ronaldinho any day. Still worldclass, he’d provide Fergie with an astounding array of options up front.
A bit critical. Deco is one of the most talented footballers on the planet and even if he does have trouble adapting (which is less likely than you think seeing as his yellow card tally is actually a result of his combatitive style) the difference he will make when Chelsea play other big teams will be huge. I also think your analogy of Ronaldinho struggling with the physicality of the league is a bit off seeing as unlike when in shape, he is one of the strongest and fastest players of his type.
Ps your comment about Ronaldinho being unfortunate to have not been managed by ferguson is really unnesecary and makes you look like a biased writer
MDH - he IS biased.
Good first article Scott, welcome to Soccerlens.
I think you should also consider that Eto’o and Ronaldinho are unlikely to be playing in the same team in the future, unless the reports of a rift between them at Barcelona that contributed to their problems are false.
All 3 are quality, quality players and given a fresh chance they should do well.
I am biased, of course. Isn’t that what happens when you’re utterly obsessed with one team?
Regardless, I don’t know why my comment on Ronaldinho under Fergie shows bias. Sir Alex Ferguson is well known for his ability to protect his superstars and curb their partying lifestyle. The drinking culture at United was massive before Fergie took over and got rid of it. If Ronaldinho had a manager who had been more protective, like Fergie, then maybe he’d still be the best in the World now. I think that’s a fair enough remark.
For those of you who think Deco will cut it, can we name 5 players who joined the Premiership at 30 and were a huge hit? I can think of one or two, but the vast majority flop. To leave the Premiership at 30 and join La Liga is relatively easy compared to doing it the other way around.
Whether he’s a success or not though, the important point for fans hoping to win the league this season is that Deco is 30, not 25, so won’t have the legs for it for too much longer.
Looks like there is alot of change going on at Chelsea but, everyone comes to accept it, seeing as it has been going on ever since they were bought out. It is why as a United supporter, i am not worried about who they buy. I don’t think they will ever gain the style of football United play, they will always be a hard working, aggressive team but aslong as United keep on their A game, they can keep a firm hand on titles. It is still a new manager, with lots of new players, i have always found that Chelsea don’t get as nicely as United or Arsenal and i’m expecting Arsenal to be the team causing more problems for United. Deco is a quality player, but he is getting on and isn’t guaranteed to fit into the premiership and i wouldn’t want Ronaldinho, with his long past of partying, it will take a long time for him to get back to his old form and he has to do it playing in the best league, so theres a chance he will rekindle his old form but i wouldn’t risk it. Eto’o is a quality striker, but then again, it looks like Drogba is leaving, so he will just replace Drogbas goals. With Inter claiming that they have bought Frank lampard for £7 million, there are extra goals deducted from Chelse’s For column. I also hear Chelsea have made a £26 million bid for Robinho, just another highly over rated player in my book.
So i guess my point is, Deco will probably play well, but will he match the form of Lampard? Eto’o will probably make up for Drogba’s loss, so if Ronaldinho doesn’t perform, who will make up for all of the goals?
I predict better football from Chelsea next season but i reckon United have got a quite flawless team and if Arsenal improve, they will have a very imposing team too. Could be close, i hope it is, makes for a better season when you really have to work for the title.
P.S - Ronaldo won’t be leaving United. He will most probably join Real Madrid at some point, but it won’t be this season. No one bullies Fergie into sales. He is too much of an asset to sell at a time when United are on an extremely successful roll, so everyone still claiming he is going should really be realistic and rational and listen to United when they have numerously stated that he isn’t for sale and Fergie has gone on record as to saying that Ronaldo will be at United next season. He isn’t going to say that and then sell Ronaldo, the fans would be outraged and he is all about the fans. Anyone who thinks he will be leaving, will be in for a shock come the start of the season when he is in a Manchester United shirt.
Hope Arsenal will sigh Eto’o instead of Chelsea
United are only signing one player? Chelsea are rebuilding a new team? Arsenal are loosing players like Hled, Flamini and Adebayour? Surely this is our year
Just kiddin im not gonna say that seriously cuz evertime i do i get disappointed!! To me Eto and Ronaldinho won’t make it in the prem but Deco will be class, even though he is 30 he is still a better player that Lampard.
Don’t the Reds play at Anfield? I always thought Old Trafford was the home for the Red Devils.
Deco… 31.. adapting to the pace of the premiership. Unlikely. Shevchenko mkII. Ronaldinho is waaay too fat. Fatter than off season chainsmoking weddingcakemunching Rooney. If united were to sign him, I wouldn’t be confident of him being actually fit until Christmas. Especilly fit enough for the speed of the prem. Eto’o however I would take in a heartbeat, and I hope Chelsea dont’t replace Drogba with him.
scott u are biased to the point where ur comments a bordering on ridicilous. Because u support one team doesnt mean that u shouldnt be objective.
Omaha boy, I was gonna say that too. The reds are Liverpool!! United are the red devils!!
That liv pool fan says that deco is better than lampard… is crap! I dont think chelsea will let frank leave he is a very important part for the team and deco is not at his level. Not only in the football but in what frank is for the people. Drogba… whatever with that nigga.
Liv Fan - yea yea yea.
Bayern - your comments are usually beyond ridiculous, what are you pointing fingers for?
Come to Manchester and ask where the Reds play
You’re either a red or a blue… and neither of which have anything to do with Merseyside lol.
And Red Devils? Lol nobody actually seriously calls us that do they?
Yeh good point, though you must admit the media would often refer to us as “the Reds” and United as “the Red Devils”.
By media im only really talking about Setanta, Skysport and BBC.
Whoever said “United are only signing one player and Chelsea are rebuilding” - Deco (in my opinion) will not perform better than Lampard and Eto’o will just make up for Drogba’s loss and as for Ronaldinho, i doubt he will ever be anywhere near as impactful as he has been, most likely underachieve. The fact United are only looking to add one player to their team, shows how complete Fergie thinks his team is. The fact United are the league holders for two years running and have won The Champions League shows that we are where we need to be. It also shows that United will not be selling Ronaldo, as the player we are being linked with is a striker and not a right winger (To me, the Schweinstager story was just more fuel to the fire of this prolonged transfer story).
As for Arsenal selling players, if Wenger was worried, he would just sign players to replace them, so they don’t, i expect Arsenal to be confident, the same way they were when they lost Henry. As for Adebayor leaving, Arsenal rejected a £25 million offer for him yesterday, so i wouldn’t count on him leaving either. Hleb looks to be going but, Arsenal are letting him leave.
As for the whole “Liverpool are The Reds” etc etc, who cares?! A hell of alot of Unted fans call United “The Reds” because we play in a Red home shirt, lots of fans do it with their beloved clubs, its your own personal name. If the media call Liverpool “The Reds”, it doesn’t affect me. Which explains why United fans sing “Gary Neville is a Red, he hates Scousers”. We are The Reds of Manchester, but we are also The Red Devils to other fans from all over The World. To opposing fans, we are “The Mancs” or “Manure”. They are just terms of referrence.
Keeping to the point, Chelsea are rebuilding with players who don’t seem to be better than the players they are replacing or competing with, with the exception of Eto’o, who will likely have a huge impact in England. This team has to have a strong start and keep the pace up for the whole season, as every team is coming back stronger and the standards are higher every year. Is Deco going to have an instant impact and keep up the standards, or is he going to need time to adjust. People might think its a questionable notion, but, Chelsea bought Schevchenko for £31 million, a player that had a huge reputation for being a World Class striker and he still isn’t really performing. Michael ballack, renowned as one of the best midfielders in The World, German captain went to Chelsea and took a long time to adapt. 3 managers in the space of a season can’t be too good either, add to that the fact that so much time will have to be put into getting Ronaldinho playing, isn’t as positive as everyone is making out.
Sorry for the length, that did tend to drag on a little lol.
Well, they do call it Red Devil Radio…and what’s this “we” business from fans anyway? I think Liverpool’s history is rich enough they shouldn’t have to deal with ManU horking their nick.
Chelsea are turning into the New York Yankees. Anyone familiar with baseball knows that all the Yankees do is throw their money around and make horrible signings, specifically by paying HUGE dollars to players past their prime. (And I’m a Yankees fan!)
Who cares if United only sign one player, who cares if they don’t sign anyone. The team they had when they won the double last year, is all still there! Giggs and Scholes are getting old, but they players to replace them. United doesn’t need to sign anyone, they can let Chelsea keep spending and spending on past their prime players. They should have invested more money into whomever designed their new kit, it’s AWFUL!
Steve you seriously need to lighten up. United are only signing one player because they are in debt. I’ll be sad to see all of them go but they are all finished maybe another year or two in Deco.
Whoever that guy was who said comment 20:
A. United arent signing anyone cuz they are in debt the less spending the more they can pay off, I just think its strange seeing they need a good Rb, RW, LW and striker.
B. Arsenal are signing replacements but because Flamini and Hleb had such good seasons they will be hard to replace.
C. Only jokin about “the reds” thing in the immortal words of wee mickey boo “would yee catch yourself on”.
I’ve been thinking about this Ronaldo issue and Fergie’s stance.Judging from history Stam, Beckham, Ruud, Ince,etc Fergie wouldn’t stand for Ronaldo’s nonsense.I just think that he’s waiting for Ronaldo to win World Player of the year so he can tick the one box of achievements he hasn’t fulfilled yet.What do you guys think???
I see Chelsea as the best playing team next season. with the stars of player they are purchasing.I say ye to CHELSEA.
If you really think that deco will not suceed in bringing glory to chelsea’s next season you are mistaken! deco maybe 30 but look at zidane he maybe retired, but still has the energy to play a decent 90 minutes of entertaining football. Deco is strong and skillfull, he earns his yellow cards due to the way he plays, in all honesty its the way players are meant to play and not by throwing themself on the floor to have possesion of the ball! thats not sports men ship! how ever deco is unique and throws alot of passion into the game.
Ronaldinho will give chelsea that extra boost everyone has been waiting for. The Preimier could do with more of brazilian talent. they is nothing left for him in barcelona due to his poor season he had, it will do him the world of good to play the last of his 6 or 7 years he has adead of him.
Eto’o is world class and is too underated he deserves the chance to make a come back!
Ch3!_Sea B0Y
Chelsea Boy - (I won’t address the flaws in trying to compare Deco with ZINEDINE ZIDANE!) It’s not a question of the “energy” Deco will have, but being able to cut it in a different league when he’s made his name in Portugal and Spain. In contrast, Zidane was settled at Real Madrid when he turned 30.
I find it rather amusing that you don’t think Deco dives. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NjtbhYj2g8
I must say scott the red that you do have a point. but we will see what happens on his performance next seaon!