Benfica midfielder begs for Chelsea move
Playing for the Portuguese league champions does not look to hold much appeal for Ramires Santos do Nascimento any longer, as the player has begged his club to allow him to move to English Premier League (EPL) club Chelsea. The Brazil midfielder has described the opportunity as a “dream move” for him and is desperate to link up with the EPL champions.
A £20 million bid has been tabled by the Stamford Bridge club for the player, who was part of the Brazil squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer. Benfica, however, have so far refused the advances of the Blues, but the 23 year-old has now spoken of his ambition in an attempt to push the deal through.
Ramires told ESPN Soccernet of his wishes. He said: "I know there has been a bid for me from Chelsea, this is a great honour, it is like a dream come true. I have dreamt of playing in the Premier League and now to have the opportunity to play for the best team in the Premier League and for a club with so much history - it would be my dream. I hope this can happen, and I hope that I can help Chelsea to regain the (league and FA Cup) double and also to win the UEFA Champions League next season.”
The midfielder also expressed his desire to team up with Carlo Ancelotti, and players he describes as “amongst the best in the world”. He said: "I am looking forward to playing with the likes of John Terry, Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba - to play with players like this under a manager of the stature of Carlo Ancelotti whom I admire and respect, in a club with so much spirit and winning mentality, would be a tremendous privilege.”
Though he has his heart set on a move to London, he did not want to disrespect his present club, saying: “I would like everyone to know I had a fantastic year at Benfica, and I respect them a lot, but this is a dream that I cannot let go.”
Chelsea have so far been quiet this transfer window, having only signed two players – young Czech defender Tomas Kalas from Sigma Olomouc and midfielder Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool. Midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack have left the club after their contracts expired, with Cole moving to Liverpool and Ballack joining Bayer Leverkusen.
Strong capture
Ramires would be a strong capture for the Blues as they bid to retain the league title and push for the Champions League victory, which has so far eluded owner Roman Abramovich. The player spent his youth career at Joinville before making 14 appearances for that club’s first team, scoring three goals. He moved to Cruzeiro in 2008 after being on loan with the Brazilian Serie A club the previous season. In the 2008-09 season, he played 35 games in all competitions and scored 11 times.
Early in the 2009-10 season, Ramires made the switch to Benfica for 7.5 million euros on a five-year contract. His deal included a minimum fee release clause of 30 million euros. In 47 games for Benfica across all competitions, he has scored six times and became an established crowd favourite as he helped the Portuguese team towards a League Championship and League Cup win.
The midfielder made his international debut in June 2009 in a World Cup qualifying game against Uruguay where he replaced Elano. He scored his first international goals in a friendly against Tanzania in June 2010, scoring twice. In total, he has received 16 caps.
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