It looks like Chelsea and Alexandre Pato love affair is about to start with the Brazilian agreeing a 6-months loan deal with an option of exceeding further next summer.
Despite his wonder-boy image and sweet left foot, I am not convinced with timing of his arrival. For me, he represents Chelsea’s falling dominance in the transfer market. There were better players on offer, had Chelsea pushed a little harder.
Ahead of the Brazilian’s imminent arrival, we take a look at the five alternative signings Chelsea should have made instead of Pato.
Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk) – Perhaps the safest bet of the lot, as the Brazilian has been crying his lungs out for a move to Premier League. Shakhtar are also keen on selling and have named a £38milion asking price for their striker.
Under the normal circumstances, £38million is not the amount Roman Abramovich would think twice before spending, however, he has been beaten in Teixeira’s race by Liverpool, who have all but agreed a move for the Brazilian.
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) – There could not have been a better time to sign the French striker than now as he has been low on form and confidence. He is the kind of player, Chelsea would have ideally loved to have in their squad rather than Pato, Falcao or Loic Remy.
With the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Willian feeding balls forward, Lacazette would have been the ideal Chelsea signing. However, Pato has got the nod and seems like the final decision from Chelsea board.
Jamie Vardy (Leicester) – There have been quite rumours of a cash+player offer from Chelsea for the Leicester man, with Loic Remy being the player to go in opposite direction.
Vardy has been a target for Manchester United and Arsenal, thus it would have made more sense for Chelsea to snap up Vardy, however, they have signed Pato and have ended any hopes of signing Premier League’s top goal scorer this season.
Edinson Cavani (PSG) – Another player, who has been pretty vocal about his desires to join Premier League. Cavani is fed up with being the number 2 to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and wants out. Chelsea have tracked down the player for long, however, no deal has been struck till now.
Another reason for Chelsea to snap up Cavani should have been the growing interest in the player from Arsenal and Manchester United. The PSG striker is a natural goal scorer and perhaps the man who would have turned things around for the Blues.
Graziano Pelle (Southampton) – It is not a secret how the Italian has been wanting out of St. Mary’s. With Charlie Austin’s arrival at the club, Pelle is still up for grabs, if Chelsea pursue the deal a bit harder.
Pelle is the just the kind of striker, Chelsea need at the moment. Signing Pato has only secured the alternate striker option, however, with Pelle on board, Guus Hiddink might have had the perfect replacement for Diego Costa.
Image credit: getty