Quaresma backed to find his feet at Chelsea after struggling in Europe

05 February 2009 11:23
Desperate times call for desperate measures and Ricardo Quaresma's loan move to Chelsea this week reveals how both the player and the club have fallen on hard times.[LNB] Settling in: Ricardo Quaresma is tracked by new team-mate John Obi Mikel in training this week.[LNB] A few years ago the Portuguese international was being linked with a multi-million pound move to Stamford Bridge, now he has arrived for free from Inter Milan, albeit just for the rest of the season.[LNB]His departure has been greeted by approval from the critics in Italy, who see him as having failef to justify the £20million deal Porto nego­tiated for his services last summer.[LNB]The club's fans have been quick to turn on him and there is a suspicion, at least in Italy, that the 25-year-old just can't handle the pressure of playing for the best Europe has to offer.[LNB]While he may have impressed in spells at Sporting Lisbon and Porto, he was subdued at Barcelona, where he lasted just one season in 2003-04, and now been forced out of Inter after only six months.[LNB]One Portuguese who did flourish at Barce­lona, new Chelsea team-mate Deco, is backing Quaresma to quickly find his feet in the Pre­mier League — even though his own struggles to adapt to English football since joining from Barcelona last summer will hardly inspire confidence in the new arrival.[LNB] Deco warning: Quaresma will make a big impression at Stamford Bridge[LNB]The Quaresma question: Is Chelsea's new man actually any good?[LNB]Hey big spenders - so refined or profligates extraordinaire? Sportsmail's club-by-club guide to what your team's squad costs[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB]Deco said: 'The Premier League may suit Quaresma more than in Italy. I believe he can have more success here.[LNB]'He is a player with fight, determination, swiftness and great vision on the field. He can make things happen and unlock opposition defences.[LNB]'On the ball he is a fantastic talent and can dribble at pace. He is a great player to watch and he will excite the fans.'[LNB]Quaresma's reputation back in Portugal is of a player who has as much skill as Cristiano Ronaldo, yet one whose his career has stag­nated compared to the nation's most famous winger.[LNB]He is famed for using the 'Trivela' technique, which is his ability to hit shots, crosses and free kicks with the outside of his right foot.[LNB] Familiar face: Quaresma has already played under Scolari for the Portuguese national team.[LNB]He has great pace and trickery on the ball, skills which Ronaldo has used to torment many stubborn defences in the Premier League, and it is this kind of invention that Chelsea badly need as they look to save a season which is threatening to end in disappointment.[LNB]With Joe Cole ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Chelsea have few players capable of doing anything out of the ordinary — and ordinary is the word best used to describe Florent Malouda's performances since he arrived for £13.5m from Lyon last year. [LNB]Quaresma's arrival has given manager Luiz Felipe Scolari Scolari ore options, as he can play on both wings and perhaps the Brazilian will now be more inclined to change his forma­tion to play with two strikers up front.[LNB]A lack of width has been blamed for the ease with which opposition defences have been able to stop Chelsea from threatening in recent months, and Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka would relish the service a confident Quarasma could bring.[LNB]The key to his spell in England being a suc­cess, which may earn him a permanent move in the summer, is the strong Portuguese pres­ence at Chelsea. There are five compatriots in the squad, including former Porto team-mate Jose Bosingwa, with whom he formed a potent threat on the right flank for club and country.[LNB]The switch may look a bit of a gamble for both the player and the club right now, but it could lead to a healthy return for both parties come May.[LNB] Deco warning: Quaresma will make a big impression at Stamford Bridge[LNB]The Quaresma question: Is Chelsea's new man actually any good?[LNB]Hey big spenders - so refined or profligates extraordinaire? Sportsmail's club-by-club guide to what your team's squad costs[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB][LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail