By Ricardo Setyon
July 16 – Lucas Piazon, Chelsea’s generally on-loan striker, who signed for the London club for €7.5 million in 2011 but has yet to secure a squad place, is unhappy and letting his feelings be known at the Pan-American games that have just opened in Canada.
Lucas is one of Brazil’s hottest talents and almost certain to wear the coveted number 10 jersey for Brazil at next year’s Rio Olympics. But his European adventure has not been as smooth or planned.
At 18 he had the choice of eight European clubs with Real Madrid, Manchester United, Fenerbahce, Benfica and Valencia among them. He chose Chelsea preferring to be alongside countrymen Ramirez and Oscar.
But almost as soon as he had arrived he was away again on loan to Malaga in Spain, then Vitesse in Holland, and finally to Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt. He has played three times for Chelsea.
In a blunt and sincere expression of his disappointment, Lucas said: “To go now back to Chelsea, sincerely, is a waste of time. It is nothing I look forward to….To be able to play a few minutes every second week, is something that does not make me feel very well. I rather play every weeek, as it has been so far, for example with Eintracht. I have spoken to Chelsea so far only with the technical director, but not yet to Mourinho.”
A statement has since appeared on Piazon’s facebook page denying the original comments and claiming he still wants a future at Stamford Bridge.
With call-up to the Brazilian national team for the Pan-American games postponing his return to Chelsea, Lucas is left not knowing his future.
“He never thought he would be in such an awkward situation…being transferred to Chelsea, his dream club, and now, in order to do what he does best, play footballl, he has to be far away from there…,” said a member of his family yesterday.
Having to adapt to four different styles of playing, in such young age, has been the main concern of his ex-coaches. Muricy Ramalho said: “First the hard adaptation to the English football then, moving to the more technical Spanish league, then the harsh Dutch League and finally, the strong and physical German football…all that in less than three years, and at the age of 19, 20…it is not easy for anyone! His magnificent talent, is being wasted…”
From being part of the 22 player squad, ahead of Malouda, in 2012, and being named Chelsea Young Player of the Year in his first season, Lucas mysteriously (to Brazilian football pundits) faces an uncertain future.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho landed in Montreal yesterday, and presumably Lucas will be one player he wants to watch and talk to. Whether he considers him part of the squad for next season, a situation the player himself does not believe is the case, remains to be seen.
Either way, Brazil remain convinced by his talent. If Chelsea are not so convinced, they stand to benefit significantly in the transfer market from the €7.5 million investment made in 2011. Either way they win. Lucas might still win as well but is picking up scars along the way as the moneymen trade his talent.
A Chelsea statement said: “The career path set by the club, in total agreement with the athlete, is that Piazon plays for other clubs to acquire more experience before joining definitively the list of Blues.
“This, by the way, is part of Chelsea’s strategy and with other young Brazilians and also athletes of other nationalities.
“There is the possibility of a new loan for next season as part of the final phase of preparation Piazon.”
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