Deco urges Lampard to stay

Blues new boy eager to link-up with England star

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 6th July 2008

Deco Portugal ITV

Deco: Hopes Lampard will stay

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New Chelsea signing Deco has urged Frank Lampard to snub Internazionale and strike up a midfield partnership with him at Stamford Bridge.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has set his sights on luring Lampard to Serie A after taking over at Inter.

But Deco is eager to link-up with the England star after making an £8million move from Barcelona last month.

"I think I can be compatible with Lampard on the pitch," he told The People.

Danger

"That is, of course, something that the trainer has to decide - he is in charge.

"But I have seen a lot of Chelsea games on the TV, and together Frank and I can create a lot of danger for other teams."

Deco revealed he had the chance to join Chelsea when his former Porto boss Mourinho took charge in 2004.

Barca had already agreed a deal with Porto, though, so the Portugal international headed to Spain instead.

Four years on and the Brazilian-born playmaker has now made the move to Stamford Bridge, and again it was a former coach that attracted the 30-year-old to Chelsea.

Exciting

Deco became Luiz Felipe Scolari's first signing since leaving the Portugal job and he expects more to follow this summer as the Blues prepare for another assault on the Premier League and the Champions League.

"Scolari's arrival at Chelsea influenced my decision a lot," said Deco. "I get on very well with him so it is easy to train, play and perform.

"Chelsea's sporting project is exciting and that is why I have decided to come here.

"It is a great squad but they have told me that more players will arrive," he added.