Pato becomes Chelsea's latest Brazilian
Friday, January 29, 2016
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Former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato has joined Chelsea on loan until the end of the season from Corinthians, adding to a sizeable list of Brazilians to have represented the Londoners.
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Chelsea have increased their striking options with the signing of attacker Alexandre Pato on a six-month loan from Corinthians.
With Diego Costa susceptible to hamstring injuries and Radamel Falcao sidelined since 31 October with an ongoing thigh problem, the Blues were in need of firepower as they bid to climb the Premier League and make progress in the UEFA Champions League, where they face Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
Pato, who has spent the last two years on loan at São Paulo, could yet provide that if his record at AC Milan is anything to go by. The Brazilian international scored 51 goals in 117 Serie A games and six in 22 European Cup outings between January 2008 and November 2012, when he last pulled on a Rossoneri shirt.
Now 26, Pato becomes the fourth of his countrymen in the Londoners' squad – five if you count Brazilian-born Spain forward Costa. To mark his arrival, UEFA.com's shines a light on some of the Seleção players to have made a name for themselves at Stamford Bridge.
Alex (August 2007 to January 2012)
The centre-back started the FA Cup final wins of 2009 and 2010 and scored a blockbuster of a free-kick in one of the most eventful UEFA Champions League matches in Chelsea history, the 4-4 second-leg draw with Liverpool in the 2008/09 quarter-finals. Now at Milan after a spell with Paris.
David Luiz (January 2011 to June 2014)
The shaggy-haired defender twice lifted European silverware with Chelsea. Luiz converted the second penalty in the shoot-out success against Bayern München in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final; 12 months later he played the entirety of the victory over previous employers Benfica in the UEFA Europa League decider. Like Alex, he was sold to Paris.
Juliano Belletti (August 2007 to June 2010)
Belletti featured in just 11 top-flight games in his farewell season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's 2009/10 double-winning campaign, his last outing coming as a substitute in the FA Cup final triumph over Portsmouth. The full-back endeared himself to fans by scoring against Tottenham in two capital derbies in 2008.
Oscar (July 2012–)
A big-money buy from Internacional in his homeland, playmaker Oscar enjoyed a UEFA Champions League debut to remember, registering twice in a 2-2 draw with Juventus in September 2012. His second strike in that match, a quick turn and shot from outside the area, was voted Chelsea's goal of the season.
Ramires (August 2010 to January 2016)
Suspended for the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, Ramires lined up with compatriot David Luiz in the aforementioned UEFA Europa League win over Benfica, the club he left for Chelsea. The industrious midfielder, fondly remembered for his chipped finish in a 2-2 comeback draw away to Barcelona that sealed Roberto Di Matteo's side's place in the Munich finale, signed a new deal in October only to join ambitious Chinese outfit Jiangsu Suning on Wednesday.
Willian (August 2013–)
Chelsea's most impressive performer in what has been a turbulent campaign. The erstwhile Corinthians, Shakhtar Donetsk and Anji Makhachkala player has emerged as one of Europe's most deadly free-kick takers, scoring six of them in 2015/16 – four of them making up his UEFA Champions League tally of five goals. The attacking midfielder picked up a Premier League winners' medal last term alongside Oscar and Ramires.
Other Brazilians to have made a first-team appearance for Chelsea: Emerson Thome, Filipe Luís, Kenedy, Lucas Piazon, Mineiro.
Have we missed anybody? Let us know using the comment facility below.