Deco arrived from Barcelona this summer as one of the world’s gifted midfielders, but many wondered whether his artistry would flourish in the cut and thrust of the Premier League. Suffice to say it does – his creativity has helped Chelsea to the top of the table. Here, in an exclusive interview, we talk to Deco about life at Stamford Bridge, the Premier League and his ambitions for the season.
Deco, what was behind your decision to come to Chelsea?
I’ve taken my decision according to the ambitious project Chelsea presented to me. I want to win titles again. This how it’s always been in my career and I think this is the place to be. There wasn’t any other option and I wanted to leave Barcelona. Another thing is that I’ve always wanted to play in England and check out the Premier League.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has said that he wants the team to play more attractive football – how will you help achieve that?
I will do my best to help and I think all I have to do is to play the same football I’ve played all these years. Everybody knows my characteristics, I like to pass the ball, to go forward and fight for every ball.
Do you think a team can play attractive football and still win stuff?
Sure, I do. It is a logical matter for me, the team that plays good football will have more possibilities to win. Obviously it is not something that will always happen, there are harder games and on these occasions what you need is a result. I think the secret is to be practical and it is possible to be efficient playing attractive football.
How do you think your playing style is faring in the Premier League?
My fighting spirit has everything to do with the Premier League. I like intense games and to be aggressive. Besides, good players can overcome every situation, it is just a matter of getting used to it. Football is football, wherever you are.
What do you perceive are the differences between Spanish and English football?
People talk a lot about the intensity of English football and I think this is a consequence of the way referees rule the game. There are less fouls and the game gains in speed. It is an obvious result, as it never stops. The players know they can be more aggressive, that no foul will be conceded, and that is a big difference.
How do you feel you fit into the Chelsea midfield?
The great thing about our midfield is that everybody is very versatile. All the players have this characteristic of both attacking and defending quite well. Me, Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Ballack. All of us are players who don’t play in a specific position, we play at both ends and can switch places all the time.
What do you think Chelsea will need to do to win the Premier League? Can they do it attractively?
Yes, as I said before, we can win playing well. And, to win, I don’t think many changes are needed. We all saw that Chelsea lost both the Premier League and the Champions League to Manchester United last season by a narrow margin. We’ve got to work, to correct some mistakes and I think the new coach will bring very good things to this club.
What in particular do you think the new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari brings to Chelsea?
He brings what he’s always brought to the clubs and national teams he’s trained. He has a gift of uniting players, building a group of lads who are happy and with the same objective in mind, having or not a lot of minutes in the pitch. It is easy for him to gain hearts and I guess he will do the same at Chelsea.
What sort of manager is he and how does he get the best out of a team?
He is a very demanding guy, who works a lot and wants to see everyone doing the same. He is a relaxed person off the pitch, accessible and always ready to listen to the players and accept opinions.
Which players at Chelsea do you think are key to the chances of success?
I don’t believe there will be key players. Maybe in one or another game someone will decide the outcome, but overall the important thing is to form a good and talented group. This is the essential thing at long term. Big clubs like Chelsea, Barcelona or Real Madrid, with all the money they have, can’t be so limited and rely on just two or three players.
Were you first impressions of the club good?
Yes, they were very good. I liked the organization and the way they work, the intensity. I was surprised by the training, which is much more intense than in Spain. You can see the players like it to be like that.
What would you consider to be a successful season for Chelsea – winning the Premier League? The Champions League?
It will be hard to consider a season successful without at least one of these two titles.
What do you hope that people will say about you at the end of this season?
I hope people consider it was a good thing for Chelsea to sign me.
What do you think the most difficult thing about playing in England will be for you personally?
I am not afraid of any difficulties. I think I will take a little bit of time to adapt to the pace and intensity of the Premier League, but I will get used to it.
Chelsea on BT Vision
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Bolton v Chelsea, available from 10pm, 6 December
Everton v Chelsea, live 8pm, 22 December, Setanta Sports
Chelsea v West Brom, available from 10pm, 26 December
Fulham v Chelsea, available from 10pm, 28 December
