Deco

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Phil to land £12m Deco

DECO is set to become Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first signing for Chelsea this week in a £12million switch from Barcelona.

The Portugal ace has agreed terms with the Blues and the deal is expected to be finalised following his country’s exit from Euro 2008.

New Stamford Bridge boss Scolari is confident Deco will sustain the form he showed during the three games he played in Switzerland.

A source close to the deal said: “It’s just a matter of time to conclude the affair and it should be before the end of this week.”

Deco, 30, has suffered from loss of form and a spate of injuries in the last couple of seasons.

He was a key player at Euro 2004 and his performances this time around showed Big Phil that he is back in tip-top shape.

The midfielder has been lambasted by the Spanish media for what they alleged was his erratic lifestyle.

But he played a starring role in Barca’s La Liga triumph in 2005 and helped them clinch the La Liga and Champions League double the next season.

[EskWeston 696]

Wouldn't be a suprise, this has been THE persistant story even before Scolari took over. Usually a sign that the story has at least a very high probability of happening.

[Kez 2,727]

I still dont think we should sign him.

[riks12 3]

Me neither.

He is gonna fail here. He couldn't adopt with EPL..

[manpe 10,861]

we don't need him ... over

[the wes 7,212]

Deco will announce that he is set to sign for Chelsea this week and hopes to complete a move to Stamford Bridge to join Luiz Felipe Scolari by Friday.

The Portuguese midfielder will replace the outgoing Frank Lampard having mulled over whether to go to Inter or join his former national team boss in London.

Despite José Mourinho taking over at the San Siro, Deco has chosen to try his luck in the Premier League and the formalities should all be verified in the next few days.

Barcelona are keen to push a deal through because next weekend sees the club's fans vote in a referendum to decide if the current board stays inplace or not.

If president Joan Laporta loses that vote, then elections will be called and an interim set of directors installed who cannot carry out any transfers, in or out of the club.

Deco was told during the season that he could look for a new club after the coaching staff and Txiki Begiristain began to lose patience with his battle for form.

According to reports, the 30-year-old was warned about his fitness and attitude midway through the 2006-07 campaign and although things improved slightly, his inability to return to the player he was three years ago cost him his place in the squad.

Pep Guardiola announced in his first press conference that Deco was not in his plans and from then on it was a case of waiting for the player to be available after the European Championships to discuss his next move.

Scolari was always keen to take him to Chelsea and with Lampard now set to move to Inter, the long-awaited merry-go-round has started.

[Yan Dylan 0]

I think he's coming, Scolari wants him,and he likes the Premierleague.

I remember once, Scolari (When he was with Portugal) said he made an error to don't get him with Brazil, and is happy to have with the Portugal.

He's more than just an important player for Felipao.

If Frank goes, wa can't avoid the coming of Deco, it's a different style, but he won't be the remplacement of Lampard, because he's a playmaker, and Ballack will be the scorer that Frank is.

His price is very intersting, only 10 millions (Euros).

[manpe 10,861]

ffs why do we still want 30 year old players who are lacking form and are past their prime ? I'd take anyone younger and in-form player any day over Deco (Moutinho, Van Der Vaart, Kaka etc.) ... Deco most definitely won't replace Lampsy. First of all he's shittier at defending and he doesn't score half the goals Lampsy does.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Oh no!! My worst nightmare has come true!!

[Ollie 4,400]

I was against the idea until i saw his performance against Germany. He was brilliant in that game, he didnt dive, moan or cheat in anyway and his passing and movement was absolute class. I'll be so happy if he comes now. Ok so he wont get much of a looking maybe but he'll take his chance if hes given it thats for sure. We need a player like him, we dont have a play maker. He will perfectly fit the bill.

[oxfordblues 299]

he`s just signed.time now 7.30pm

[Akemisu 0]

Not a bad signing by any means, could be better, granted (younger blah blah) but for 8mil, not bad.

[Kez 2,727]

I dont think this is a good signing and worried what lampard will think of this

[Elliott 7]

Great signing, we needed a playmaker and now we have one. Closing thread, check the Matthew Harding Stand for threads on the matter.

[the wes 7,212]

Juventus want to end Deco’s indifferent spell at Chelsea Football Club.

The playmaker was an £8million summer signing for Luiz Felipe Scolari, who worked with him for the Portugal national side.

However, Deco has failed to find any consistency in England despite a promising start, and Scolari has since been replaced by Guus Hiddink.

Reports in Italy suggest former Blues manager Claudio Ranieri is keen on the 31-year-old as a replacement for Pavel Nedved.

The Czech Republic legend is expected to retire in the summer, and Deco could take his place in the Juventus side if Chelsea are willing to accept an offer in the region of £6million.