THE CLAMOUR for Chelsea to recruit Robinho was taken up last night by Deco, the man charged with injecting flair into Luiz Felipe Scolari's side, with the Portugal midfielder insisting that the Real Madrid forward is a "magical" player.
Negotiations between Chelsea and Real go on, with the Brazilian forward having told the Spanish club's president, Ramon Calderon, that he wants a move to Stamford Bridge as he has grown frustrated at the lack of progress in talks over a new contract at the Bernabeu.
The Premier League club do not anticipate a speedy resolution of any transfer but remain optimistic that the 24-year-old can be signed before the August 31st deadline.
"He's a spectacular player," said Deco, Brazil-born himself, who has lined up against Robinho in Barcelona's meetings with Real in recent years.
"He's got incredible skill, has magic in his feet and is capable of anything on a football pitch. His quality is amazing. It would be great if he joined us and he'd be made very welcome here."
Chelsea's hopes may have been hindered slightly by the knee injury suffered by Real's Wesley Sneijder during the Emirates Cup tie with Arsenal on Sunday. The Netherlands midfielder damaged his cruciate ligaments in a challenge with Abou Diaby and could be absent for up to six months.
However, Real's signing of Sneijder's compatriot Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg on a five-year deal yesterday, makes it more possible that the Spanish champions would countenance the departure of Robinho.
Regardless, Deco has embraced the task awaiting him to provide the creative hub around which this team can revolve. Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, has long sought more flair in his side and Scolari has turned to a 30-year-old player who so often provided the inspiration for him with Portugal.
"Everybody wants to see good football and, in fact, the first rule for winning football is to make sure we play well," said Deco.
"This team has players with great quality who can play high-calibre football, good quality and exciting football. . . I want to play my part in this.
"We must make sure we play winning football first and foremost, but we have the capability to make it exciting to watch. This pre-season tour has been a really good way for me to get to know my team-mates and I've felt really comfortable out on the pitch."
Deco's partnership with Frank Lampard in the centre of midfield has already shown signs of flourishing, with Scolari having employed them in a diamond formation. The prospect of a midfield quartet of Ballack, Lampard, Deco and Michael Essien starting the opening Premier League game of the season against Portsmouth remains intriguing.
"We can play all together, but I don't really think it's important who is going to play," Deco added. "The important thing is that whoever is selected, plays well."
Guardian Service
