The Chelsea transfer rumours having been coming thick and past in recent weeks. Antonio Conte’s long-winded arrival has led to speculation surrounding any player in possession of an Italian passport it would seem, with the need for additions heightened only by the disastrous form the Londoners have shown in the limpest of limp title defences. But, it’s one transfer born out of bizarre circumstances closer to home that may be worth pursuing, we think.

The Daily Star have run an exclusive claiming that a deal to keep Corinthians loanee Alexandre Pato at Stamford Bridge is being pondered by Conte, who has been impressed by his two performances in the Londoners’ blue shirt. Granted, the Brazilian has only started once and his goal came against an Aston Villa side that even Radamel Falcao could have breached, but this one does make a great deal of sense.

Why sign Pato?

Well, Pato is nowhere near as bad as many have portrayed. The 26-year-old may be some way from the prodigious youngster that looked to have the world at his feet at AC Milan in the late 2000s, but he’s still a very good footballer. The injuries that curtailed his San Siro spell seem to have been put in the past after extensive rehabilitation, reflected by his 62 appearances over the last two seasons in his homeland with Sao Paulo. Although he wasn’t prolific in that time (19 goals), it’s worth remembering that he operated from a reserved role, often on the left flank, for the Estadio do Marumbi-based side.

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Why bother?

Loic Remy and Falcao immediately look like worse options than Pato, while Diego Costa’s future is anything but clear following a turbulent season. With all of this, and Eden Hazard’s own transfer drama developing, Conte could well be left short of options. Keeping Pato is not a given, but one gets the feeling Corinthians will sell for the right price after actively offering him to a host of European sides over the winter, while his looming contract expiry will only serve to weaken the Brazilians’ stance.

Where would he fit under Conte?

Conte looks likely to play either a 3-5-2 set-up or a system more closely related to a 4-4-2, judging by his career to date. In either set-up Pato could be a part of the two-man attack, or should the Italian go for 4-2-3-1 associated with Chelsea in recent years, the player could function on the flank or as a withdrawn centre-forward. The former Milan ace’s versatility is a decent weapon for Conte to be able to call upon.

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