Franco Di Santo

[We Hate Scouse 10,326]

He just needs to grow the teeth out a bit and get the hair right and you have a perfect match.

[kbchel 2]

a future ibrahimovich

[EskWeston 696]

Much like the Ivanovic deal, all the talk is the deal is done but no sign of the player yet!!!

[EskWeston 696]

10 days on and EVERYWHERE has him down as a Chelsea player, yet nothing from the club and no sign of him yet.... very strange as there is no work permit issue with him.

[the wes 7,212]

New Chelsea recruit Franco Di Santo has described the thought of playing alongside Didier Drogba as "something out of another world" as he gets set to leave for London at the end of the week.

Chelsea paid £3.4 million to the Chilean club Audax Italiano to secure the services of Di Santo and he is all set to leave his homeland of Argentina to join up with his new team-mates over the weekend.

In a good early sign for Chelsea fans, Di Santo laughed off suggestions that the weather would be an issue for him once he makes the move to London.

"For me I like the cold and rain, so in that aspect there is no problem. If I want to prevail I must adapt to how it is," he told Olé.

He was then asked whether he can believe the speed of his rise of fame, to which he stated that it has come as a major surprise to him to reach so many milestones early in his career.

"No, for not all. In the year and a bit I have been playing so much has happened. I played in the Copa Libertadores and I played for the Under-20 national team in the South American tournament in Paraguay.

"In just a very short time, I have achieved things that few have. This makes me very happy... It seems like it was just yesterday when, at 14 years old, I went by myself to the other side of the Mountain range (Chile) with this dream."

Di Santo was obviously excited about the prospect of moving to Chelsea and linking up with the world-renowned players who are already at the club, whom he hopes to learn from and improve his game.

"I have the idea to go to learn. It is going to be a dream for me to be next to Drogba, Kalou, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Shevchenko and Anelka, that they bought recently.

"I am going to watch how they play and if I am called on to be part of the team, I will be prepared to give my maximum and do what I do best. I will fulfil whatever the manager Avram Grant requests of me; that is if I understand it (laughs)."

Finally, Di Santo suggested that he will just be privileged to play alongside the likes of Drogba at Chelsea and hopes one day to achieve the same success and be able to give something back to his home town.

"I always speak with my father, Jorge. To be in clothes, changing next to Drogba will be something out of another world. I am going to help him tie his laces (laughs). I must become used to being around these players since now they will be my teammates.

"I hope to reach those heights, although I have a way to go... I do not wish to disappoint those who have trusted in me, especially the people of Mendoza. I want to help the unemployed where I was born and football in my province," he concluded.

[captainmarvel 1]

lol if all the quotes are real he seems like a nice bloke.. hopefully he lives up to his expectations.. but defo a welcomed arrival

[bombayblue™ 55]

Don't they all, at 18..

but players like drogba and essien have really made special efforts for people back in their home country so he is in the right company

[EskWeston 696]

Well thank god to get something of a confirmation on this transfer and this is exciting news. It is a big step because not only have we snapped up what appears to be a cracking little player but we have finally snapped up our first highly regarded South American young talent - thankfully in this instance we didn't have to deal with the work permit issue.

[Bandicoot 3]

This is what we want, signing talented youngsters.

[EskWeston 696]

This is what we want, signing talented youngsters.

Yes it is, but that was the easy bit now we have to go about turning this young talent into a superstar!!!!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Training with Lampard, Ballack, Drogba and Shevchenko should help in that process, I feel

[EskWeston 696]

He won't feature too much for us this season i wouldn't have thought, but to be able to spend the rest of the season learning is great for him.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

He may have the opportunity to feature in a couple of FA Cup games at the most, although I believe he will spend the majority of his time in the reserves.

[Bandicoot 3]

Give him a run in the reserves and see how he gets on.

Edited January 17, 2008 by Bandicoot

[EskWeston 696]

He may have the opportunity to feature in a couple of FA Cup games at the most, although I believe he will spend the majority of his time in the reserves.

I would be suprised if he were to make appearances for the reserves. He is 18 and regarded as a quality player. Would be a bit more like Mikel last season with a few sub appearance and starts for the season.