What's Happened To Deco?

On the 30th of June 2008 Brazilian born midfielder Deco signed for Chelsea for £8 million from Catalan club Barcelona.

He was the first signing of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who Deco had worked under for the Portuguese National team.

Deco made an instant impact for the Blues scoring in the side's 4-0 win over Portsmouth, defying David James with a 40-yard strike.

As Chelsea's free-goalscoring continued, Deco was on target again, with a cracking free-kick against Wigan.

The double European Cup winner even secured the Player of the Month award for August, such was his impressive start.

However since an injury at the end of September; Deco hasn't quiet been the same player.

He re-appeared for Chelsea as a substitute in mid-October in the sides 5-0 win at the Riverside.

But during his comeback he clearly looked off the pace, and a sending off at Roma compounded what had been an wretched start for Deco.

As his form dipped however, so has Chelsea's and after losing their famous home record to Liverpool in September they have slowly but surely slipped behind in the title race.

While at Barcelona; Deco was the focal point of the midfield, while Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho tore defences apart, Deco played a more withdrawn role in midfield.

His position is mimicked by a few Chelsea players however, like Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack who is yet to recapture his form at the end of last season.

But I'm not entirely convinced this is the reason behind his poor run of form.

Yes he did score a magnificent goal at Bolton last month, so we know the talent is there.

At the age of 31, Deco is no spring chicken, but he is hardly a box-to-box midfielder either so age is definitely no excuse.

The midfielders worst hour came on Sunday as he was overwhelmed as two title rivals met at Old Trafford.

Chelsea's midfield trio were outclassed by Manchester United's Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs, as Chelsea were humiliated in a 3-0 loss.

Deco was replaced at half time due to injury, but to be honest he could have been replaced either way, he was anonymous.

It's yet to be seen how long he will be out for, but due to his recent form I doubt many fans are willing him back.

Injury changed his season for the worse earlier in the season, can this injury put the spice back in Deco's season?

We'll wait and see on that one, but we know one thing; the fortunes of Chelsea, for the remainder of the season, lie heavily on the shoulders of the 5ft 8in technician.