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Shanghai (AFP) – Alexandre Pato scored one and was instrumental in the other as Tianjin Quanjian beat two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande on away goals to reach the Asian Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
The Brazilian former AC Milan starlet, who has rejuvenated his injury-disrupted career in China, inspired Tianjin to twice swiftly peg back Guangzhou in a 2-2 draw and squeeze through after the first leg ended goalless.
In the earlier game, a volley from Ricardo Lopes helped Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea into the last eight as they saw off Thailand’s Buriram United.
Defeat in the all-Chinese last-16 tie increases the scrutiny of Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian World Cup winner who took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari at Guangzhou in the close season after steering Tianjin into the Champions League for the first time before quitting.
Guangzhou have dominated Chinese football for nearly a decade, winning seven Chinese Super League (CSL) titles on the spin, but they have now failed to win in their last five matches in all competitions under Cannavaro, exiting the Chinese FA Cup and now Asian competition.
Guangzhou, who lifted the Champions League trophy in 2013 and 2015, have vowed to build an all-Chinese team by 2020, but it was their Brazilian star who put them ahead in the 17th minute.
Winger Alan saw his shot parried by visiting goalkeeper Zhang Lu into the path of striker Ricardo Goulart, who scrambled in.
The home side’s lead lasted just two minutes, however, as Belgian international Axel Witsel stabbed over a floated cross for the 28-year-old Pato to head down and in for Tianjin.
Goulart nabbed his second goal with a free header on 48 minutes, but again the visitors hauled themselves level almost immediately, defender Wang Jie prodding in from close range four minutes later following a Pato set-piece.
In South Korea, Lopes’ clean strike on 18 minutes and Lee Jae-Sung’s 84th-minute free-kick made it 2-0 on the night to Jeonbuk and 4-3 on aggregate as the former champions went through against Buriram.
Jeonbuk won the Asian club championship in 2016 but the South Korean side were banned from last year’s competition over a bribery scandal.
A cushion header from World Cup-bound South Korea striker Kim Shin-wook teed up the Brazilian forward, who volleyed into the top corner to make it 3-3 on aggregate and put Jeonbuk ahead on away goals.
Lee, another Jeonbuk player named in South Korea’s preliminary World Cup squad, sealed the win when he curled home his free-kick left-footed with six minutes to go.
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Pato inspires Tianjin into Asian Champions League quarters - World Soccer Talk

Pato inspires Tianjin into Asian Champions League quarters

<div id="attachment_163380" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-163380" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-163380" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20160129_WST_163379_65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42-600x399.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=399" alt="Photo credit: AFP." width="600" height="399" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/65ade1a256f3dd4fb84b43daa2da3619c2288d42.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a>Photo credit: AFP.</div>
Guus Hiddink insisted Friday that Alexandre Pato’s loan switch to Chelsea is not a gamble and confirmed the deal will be completed once paperwork formalities have been concluded. The Brazil striker, 26, arrived in London this week to complete a move that will see him remain at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.
The Corinthians player has not played a competitive game since the end of November,&nbsp; and Hiddink admits it will take time for the forward to recover match fitness. But the Chelsea interim manager believes the loan arrangement means the deal suits both club and player, who is expected to have no difficulties securing a work permit.
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2016/01/26/why-chelseas-striker-problems-make-alexandre-pato-worth-the-gamble/">Why Chelsea’s striker problems make Alexandre Pato worth the gamble.</a>
“He is in London,” said Hiddink. “He was well spotted. There are no secrets nowadays, and we don’t want to hide.
“It’s at the paperwork stage. We’ll see how long it takes to solve before he gets on the pitch.”
<div id="attachment_163381" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-163381" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-163381" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20160129_WST_163379_ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078-300x209.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=209" alt="Photo credit: AFP." width="300" height="209" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078-150x104.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078-600x417.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/ff3d06992146ff4a4dc814ff9efd74eb018ea078.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div></a>Photo credit: AFP.</div>
Pato will add to Hiddink’s attacking options, with Diego Costa currently shouldering responsibility for providing the side’s goal-threat now that both Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao are injured.
“It’s not a gamble,” said the Dutch boss. “Coming on loan makes it possible to have a good view of him, whether he’s able to adapt to the high demands of the club and the league.
“We’ll give him all the support in this, but it’s up to him. If you buy those players, with all respect to him, who must take the next step then it’s more of a risk,” the Dutchman added.
“Taking him on loan is good for everyone, to see whether he’s happy at this club and if the club are happy with him.”
But Hiddink said there would be a period of adjustment.
“He has to settle. We’ll give him the time to settle and get used to a very demanding league. Pato was a promising youngster, and also a very stylish player. Then he had a few years in Milan.
<div class="ckeditor-em"><iframe loading="lazy" src="https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com/tracks/244246378&amp;color=ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=true&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false" width="100%" height="166" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>
<h3>– ‘Big step’ –</h3>
“After that, he didn’t make a big step in Europe but went back to Brazil. Now he has another chance to make a big step in Europe, a brave step into England, and we’ll help him to get fit.”
Remy’s future at Chelsea has been questioned, with the striker linked with a move to former club Newcastle United.
Hiddink confirmed the forward will miss Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Milton Keynes with a calf injury and said: “He’s injured for the moment, a slight injury on his calf. We’ll see what happens in the upcoming days.”
The interim manager insisted Gary Cahill will not be leaving the club despite recent reports suggesting the player was concerned about his chances of making England’s Euro 2016 squad after falling out of the Chelsea first team.

Hiddink insists Pato is no gamble for Chelsea - World Soccer Talk

Hiddink insists Pato is no gamble for Chelsea

<div id="attachment_163193" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef.jpg"><div><figure class="image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-163193" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-163193" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20160127_WST_163191_35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef-600x399.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=399" alt="Photo credit: AFP." width="600" height="399" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/35ee43c6d73932f5bd5f0dadd416872e3024d9ef.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></figure></div></a>Photo credit: AFP.</div>
Former AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato arrived for a medical at Chelsea on Wednesday with the Brazilian international expected to sign a loan deal until the end of the season.
Pato helped AC Milan to the 2011 Italian league title as part of an attacking trident alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho. He also won a silver medal at the London Olympics in 2012.
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2016/01/26/why-chelseas-striker-problems-make-alexandre-pato-worth-the-gamble/">Why Chelsea’s striker problems make Alexandre Pato worth the gamble.</a>
With Chelsea looking to sharpen their attacking back up to Diego Costa, the 26-year-old Corinthians player was in confident mood.
“I am so happy — Chelsea is my new home,” Pato stold Sky Sports News.
“Thanks Chelsea for the support and thanks for my fans. I need to play. I don’t know what to say because I am so happy. I am very anxious. I want to know my new friends, the new players, and the team. I really want to play for Chelsea.”
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Chelsea, who haven’t commented on a move for Pato, announced Wednesday that midfielder Ramires had ended his five-and-a-half-year stint with the club and joined Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning.

Alexandre Pato arrives at Chelsea for his medical - World Soccer Talk

Alexandre Pato arrives at Chelsea for his medical

<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/patobridge.png"></a><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/patobridge.png"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-163097" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20160126_WST_163094_patobridge-600x300.webp&amp;width=600&amp;height=300" alt="patobridge" width="600" height="300" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/patobridge.png 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/patobridge-150x75.png 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2016/01/patobridge-300x150.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"></a></figure></div>
Chelsea have historically made more eye-popping moves in the January transfer window than any other top Premier League club. Of course this season, the Blues are closer to the relegation fight than to even battling for a Europa League position, so perhaps they need to shop like every other side fearful of relegation. The stakes are higher than ever, and while Aston Villa has been cut adrift and will almost certainly be relegated, the other sides near the bottom of the table are all shopping in January.
Still, the Blues curious move to bring in Alexandre Pato seems more desperate than the product of a carefully thought out long-term strategy. Pato is reportedly close to joining Chelsea on loan for six months from Corinthians. The Brazilian striker was a prodigy thought by many to be the best South American player in his age group around the time of the 2008 Olympic tournament in Beijing, and he enjoyed two very good seasons at Milan before he turned 21. However, injuries which had popped up in the 2009-10 season began to dog Pato, and by 2013 he had flamed out of Serie A and was back in Brazil.
SEE MORE: <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2015/12/30/latest-january-transfer-window-deals-and-news-up-to-the-minute-news/">Latest January transfer window deals and news.</a>
Since Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka left the Blues for China in 2012, Chelsea has rotated through strikers, often finding cheap options on the market that end up flaming out. Pato very well could fit this established pattern of desperate acquisitions designed to enhance squad depth. When Chelsea met the release clause for Demba Ba in Jan. 2013, six months after Drogba left the club, the move seemed to do more to hurt Newcastle, who were fighting a battle on multiple fronts that season because they were competing in Europa League, than it did to help the Blues.
Ba’s single moment of Chelsea glory may have been as the recipient of Steven Gerrard’s unfortunate slip in the famous 2-0 Blues win at Anfield in April 2014. That summer Ba was quietly moved out and replaced by Loic Rémy ,who ironically had been lined up to replace him at Newcastle before Queens Park Rangers swooped in and hijacked the deal.
Rémy‘s contributions at Chelsea have proven to be minimal save an important goal against Manchester City last season in a clash between title contenders. Pato’s addition probably means the French striker will leave Chelsea having done little in the 18 months he was on the squad.
Chelsea’s revolving door around strikers is something that a team generally contending for high honors should avoid. However, in this day of teams playing with a single striker in a 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 formation, who absent injury or long-term suspension gets the bulk of games and minutes, incentive for good forwards to sign with clubs like Chelsea are minimal. Additionally, with so much money tied up with other potential attacking players, center forward has become more and more a specialty position, like a goalkeeper. Barring an injury, you can afford to cut costs by employing a relatively inexpensive backup. &nbsp;In a pinch, top teams often place wingers in the striker position for a match or two, as has been tried by Chelsea with Eden Hazard, Arsenal with Theo Walcott and last season by Manchester City with James Milner.
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Where this philosophy, which I believe Chelsea has employed, fails is that the Blues leading striker is Diego Costa, a volatile player who constantly battles suspension demons. With Costa battling injury, potential suspensions and indifferent form this season, Chelsea has been hurt by the lack of a reliable second striker.
In Sunday’s 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium against 10-man Arsenal, Costa’s injuries flared up and he was subbed off early in the second half. &nbsp;Rémy was inserted in the side, and for the rest of the match ,it can be argued that Chelsea looked like the team that was down a man.
This leads us back to Pato. The Brazilian, who is 26, has lost some of his pace thanks to injuries, but he still proves an agile option that can play in wide areas, unlike Ba or Rémy. &nbsp;Thus he may get more time on the pitch than either did. Additionally, bringing him in on loan isn’t as risky as an outright purchase, though the opportunity cost might be that Chelsea did not pursue the likes of Charlie Austin, who was available this transfer window for a small fee.
Pato coming to Chelsea appears a desperate move ,but this is far from a rosy time at Stamford Bridge, and he certainly could contribute to firing the side to mid-table safety.