Former Chelsea loanee Alexandre Pato has recently revealed in an interview with SporTV that he expected much more game time during his questionable spell in west London, according to FourFourTwo.
Pato said,
I was in his [Guus Hiddink’s] office. I asked to talk, I explained my situation. He was very sincere: ‘Pato, you came at a time when our players were injured. Now they’re coming back, and I’m very loyal to my players.’ I understand the coach’s decision. I arrived at a time when the group was closed, battling for a place in the Champions League, in decisive games… I was hoping to play more, but I understand the coach’s decision.
After spending a few years applying his trade back in his native country, Brazil, Pato was given another shot at European football when Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink brought him in on a loan deal until the end of the season last January.
However, the striker only managed to make a measly two appearances for the then-Premier League champions in the three-and-a-half months he spent at the club, though he did score a goal.
I do not regret [moving to Stamford Bridge]. Chelsea received me very well. I could play, scored a goal, I showed that I can play in Europe, in England. Because many say that England is very difficult. [But] I was hoping to play more.
Pato’s loan spell at Chelsea might not have been as productive as both he and his fans had hoped, but if anything, it raised the striker’s ambitions.
I want to stay in Europe. My head is pointing toward Europe now – I want to play there. But if not, I’ll come back here [to Corinthians]. I told my agent that at the moment I do not want to listen to anyone in Brazil. Since I cannot say yes or no at this point, I do not want to make anyone hopeful or angry. Let’s see through July 1 and if nothing happens in Europe we sit and listen to these clubs.
