Deco returning to Brazil
Chelsea midfielder and Potuguese International, Deco, has announced that he plans on returning to his native Brazil. The announcement does not come as a surprise after he only managed to play a small part in Chelsea's double winning team, due to injuries and competition for places.
Deco started his football career in Brazil and first came to prominence when he was playing for Brazilian giants, Corinthians. A transfer to Porto meant that the Brazilian got his first taste of Euopean football and he settled in so well that he went on to represent Portugal on the international level, where he was one of the most important players as Portugal made it to the final of Euro 2004, losing out to the winner's, Greece.
Deco who failed to win a title in his home coutry has expressed his wish to do so this time around so that when he retires, he has no regrets.
One of the most gifted playmakers of his generation, Deco has had the honour of winning the UEFA Champions League with two different clubs, Porto and Barcelona. He has been named UEFA's Best Midfielder on two separate occasions too, again first with Porto and then with Barcelona.
Unfortunately, the Portuguese International has not managed to stamp his authority on English football, like he has done with Spanish and Portuguese football. The move to Chelsea came when his form for Barca was starting to deteriorate and although his Chelsea career got off to a flying start, with the midfielder scoring two goals in his first two appearances and dominating the midfield, a string of injuries and loss of form have led to many questioning his place in the Chelsea side over the last few season.
Last season, Deco managed just 25 appearances, most of which were off the bench and scored only three goals. When called upon, Deco did his best for the team, and Chelsea fans will remember him as one of the more elegant players that have come to the club in recent times.
The Chelsea management are unlikley to stand in Deco's way, especially since the Chelsea squad has a very high average age and they have been trying to decrease that recently which has led to the departures of players like Michael Ballack and Juliano Belleti.
Deco's career looks like it is about to come to an end soon and the world of football is about to lose on of best players of his generation. Although his departure from Chelsea is unlikely to have a big effect on the team, since he never really managed to establish himself as a member of the starting line-up, Portugal will miss him the most, especially after a disappointing World Cup campaign.
The so called 'golden generation' of Portuguese football players has passed without a major trophy for the team and with Deco's departure even more responsbility will be put on the broad shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo, who may have to play a more central role in order to fill the gap left by Deco.
Tags: