Can Alexandre Pato rediscover his best form with Chelsea?

Although the 26-year-old former Brazilian international may have admittedly drifted off the scene somewhat in recent seasons, the name ‘Alexandre Pato’ has once again begun resonating within the wider English footballing community in general after the striker’s recent loan switch to Stamford Bridge.

 

The Blues seemingly need all the help they can get this season of course – for despite regaining some aspects of their former dominance under the assured management style of Guus Hiddink – the 2015/16 campaign has ultimately proven one to forget for Chelsea thus far.

 

Yet even though no one is quite expecting the latest Blues capture to turn things completely on their head down at Stamford Bridge this term, does Alexandre Pato have what it takes to rediscover his finest goal-scoring form with Chelsea between now and the end of the season?

 

Well, although the man himself seems to be settling down rather quickly this January…

 

Alexandre Pato is ready for today's game at MK Dons . #CFC pic.twitter.com/A6YjzKslBU

— Bridge News (@cfc_wale) January 31, 2016

 

…it seems some are willing to wait for Pato's highly anticipated debut in Blues colours…

 

Hiddink suggests Pato’s debut is still far away. Don’t think he will be ready before the end of February, personally.

— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) January 31, 2016

 

But if the former AC Milan favourite eventually does the business for Chelsea this season, surely calls for a permanent deal won’t be too far away…

 

If Pato performs. Sign him- I want a player that is grateful for his career and doesn't care about the money. He just wants to play football

— Uber Chelsea FC (@UberCheIseaFC) January 30, 2016

 

…and if his prior form for the Italian giants is to offer anything to go by within this discussion, who’s to say Chelsea haven’t unearthed themselves somewhat of a forgotten gem here…

 

Repeat of this in May please @AlexandrePato… https://t.co/ZybcdflDl2

— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) January 30, 2016

 

Some Blues fans are even beginning to praise this deal from a financial perspective as well…

 

Hazards monthly wage; £880k

Pato's 6 month wage; £720k

For what the club are paying Pato it's really not a risk. Simple as that.

— Thibauted (@Thibauted) January 29, 2016

 

…even though the South American striker isn’t guaranteed to make it among the Premier League with all things considered…

 

Feel this Pato deal could fall into the Mateja Kezman, Adrian Mutu category #Overrated

— Matty Hood (@MattyHood8) January 20, 2016

 

In fact, this is just the kind of deal that could potentially backfire massively for the Stamford Bridge faithful…

 

Pato is on course to become another Shevchenko. Utter flop!.

— Arkad (@folu_fabulous) January 29, 2016

 

…despite most Chelsea supporters remaining carefully optimistic right in the here and now…

 

We can say as i do that Pato is a potential flop. But we cant forget his goal ratio in Italy pre injury and he is Brazilian.

— Lewis Stamford (@OhPitchPlease) January 30, 2016

 

So then, although Pato must certainly up his overall game now that the striker finally has his feet planted back on European soil once again…

 

Pato knows that he needs to do really well for us to sign him on a permanent deal. I expect him to work his socks off.

— ️ (@HazardEdition) January 29, 2016

 

…Chelsea have seemingly sourced a player with enough potential to truly take the English game by storm this season…