‘If I had known Chelsea’s plan for me after transfer I would have joined another club’

Alexandre Pato was a surprise signing for Chelsea in the winter of 2016 but the Brazilian later admitted he would never have made the move to London if he was fully aware of the club’s plan for him

Alexandre Pato already revealed he would have turned down Chelsea if he knew his loan transfer didn’t come with an obligation to buy. The ex-AC Milan star made the move to Stamford Bridge in January 2016 on a six-month loan from parent club Corinthians.

Pato, who was still just 26 at the time, had made his name with the Italian giants years prior where he established himself as one of the most feared young strikers in world football. However, injury troubles stunted his progress as he played just 25 games in his last two seasons in Milan combined.

The Brazilian returned to his homeland and, after returning to form in a two-year loan stint with Sao Paulo, the Blues came calling as Pato became Guus Hiddink’s first signing in charge after he replaced the sacked Jose Mourinho in December.

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Despite signing in late January, it took until April for Pato to make his debut and it was a successful one as he netted a penalty in a 4-0 win over Aston Villa. He made just one more appearance for the club before he joined La Liga side Villarreal on a permanent deal.

Speaking in 2022, Pato admitted his strange stint in West London left him baffled and that he would have taken back his decision if he had realised the club were not required to sign him permanently following the end of his loan spell.

“I still didn’t get it,” he said. “I thought that Chelsea would loan me for six months and then I’d sign for three years. I didn’t realise that they could say no after the loan. Had I known? I would have gone elsewhere.

“It was a pity, because I was training really well, and the coach only played me twice. I never understood why.” Pato’s arrival came in the midst of what was a hugely disappointing title defence for the Blues, who won just three of their opening 12 league fixtures.

While their form improved under Hiddink – who was in his second stint as Chelsea boss – they won just one of their last seven games as their late chase for Europe faltered and were forced to settle for a 10th-place finish.

It was business as usual for the Blues the next season, having appointed Antonio Conte as head coach. The Italian led the club to their fifth Premier League title while breaking the record for number of wins in a season (30), which was broken the following season by Manchester City (32) in their centurion campaign.

Pato had spells in China, America, and Brazil after his move to Villarreal, which also failed to work out before he retired in 2023. Despite being seen as one of the most burgeoning talents of his generation, Pato never truly fulfilled his potential.

He finished his career with 189 goals and 60 assists from 500 matches in his club career, while his record for Brazil stood at 27 caps and 10 goals.

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