The question I would ask Deco if given the chance: Is he actually still hungry?
I don't mean hungry in a Ronaldinho way, but rather in the fashion of Gianfranco Zola or Claude Makelele. Is he hungry enough to adapt to a game played at a whole new pace? Is he hungry enough to work his balls off to cope with the physical demands in the most gruelling (if not the best) league in Europe.
It's a cliche to talk about wet Tuesday nights in Bolton just three days after a wet Saturday afternoon at home to Middlesbrough but it's a cliche worth repeating when you're asking a man who has won Champions Leagues, the UEFA Cup and titles in Spain and Portugal. How much can he be arsed - at the age of almost 31 - to start again?
If he can be arsed and Chelsea get the player who was Portugal's best at Euro 2008 - witness in awe his vision for one Ronaldo goal - then they have pulled off a coup.
If he cannot be arsed then Chelsea have another massive addition - not to their title challenge - but to their wage bill. We have seen Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo, Juan Veron et al contribute massively to that figure while adding little in terms of goals or trophies.
Michael Ballack bucked that trend with his performances in the latter half of last season, displaying the hunger and drive to match some of Chelsea's younger players. Will Deco follow his lead (and that of Zola 12 years ago) or just enjoy long nights bathing in giant baths of Roman's money with scantily-clad women?
You'd have to guess at the former or Felipe Scolari would not have made him his first signing. The Brazilian hardly strikes us as a man who suffers fools gladly (see Luis Figo for an example) who would stand by and watch Deco hoover up the money - and the parties - while contributing little on the pitch.
But it is notoriously hard to come to the Premier League late in your career and blossom - Zola and Makelele are two on a very short list - so Deco is probably going to have to work harder than he has ever done in his career. Chelsea's title prospects for next season may very well depend on whether he can be bothered.
Sarah Winterburn
Your Comments
HarryBoulton
"Francesco / Grain. No one is doubting the quality opf Serie or La Liga, or over-rating the premiership. However, Shevchenko was a star in Italy, came over here, and is a luaghing stock. Crespo too came and left with his tail between his legs; a good scoring record not good enough to cover up what he was lacking in his game. Veron too was a superstar and left ver much a hadow of the player Italy had boasted for years. Players, at this point in their careers,can struggle to adapt (see Henry at Barcelona). The point being made is that at 31 Deco is ANOTHER player past 30 who has every chance of failing here. The EPL is not a kind place for those physcially past their best, unless you're Gary Speed......."
mrandre2u
"I would like to know what is this thing between Scolari and Figo that the British press is always bringing up when talking about Scolari's personality? The only mild upset between Scolari and Figo that I can remember, was when the player was substituted during the Portugal-England of Euro '04. He made an unhappy face, so what? Scolari did "sit" Rui Costa on the bench, in favor of Deco, that's a different story. Figo was always a first choice player (and the team's captain) during Scolari's era."
pharvey11
"Should the question not be; Is he good enough?"
Grain
"Well said Francesco, not much insight has gone into this article."
smithers
"She meant he'll have to work harder because it's more physical than either of the leagues you mention francesco. She did say at the start of the article that it's not the best league in the world. Maybe read it properly before criticising?"
Loz_Ben
"I think you have massivly missed the point. The articale isn't saying that the premiership is better therefore he'll struggle, it is saying that it is physically more demanding, played at a quicker pace. Thus can Deco adapt from playing the style of football played in Spain to the premiership. Plus he's got a massive reputation as a diver, the refs won't give him much protection. "
The_Thrillman
"yes"
FrancescoBaiano
"ur overating the premier league again sayig he'll have to work harder than ever. Lets face it, neither Seria A or La Liga have top flight teams as bad as Hull or Stoke. The top 4 may be better in England, but the bottom 6 are probably a lot worse than whats on offer in Spain/Italy. Also, I'm guessing Big Phil knwos Deco a bit better thatn you."
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