Forward Alexandre Pato has revealed that he did not expect to spend just six months at Chelsea earlier in his career.
In January 2016, Corinthians allowed the Brazil international to move to Chelsea on a six-month loan deal, Stamford Bridge being chosen as the destination to keep his career moving in the right direction.
However, he was provided with just two Premier League appearances, Pato scoring a penalty during a 67-minute outing from the substitutes' bench against Aston Villa before failing to make an impact in 64 minutes at Swansea City the following weekend.
Later that year, Pato would sign for Villarreal, but the 32-year-old has revealed that he would not have signed for the Blues without anticipating a longer stay.
Speaking to The Players' Tribune, the former AC Milan frontman said: "I thought that Chelsea would loan me for six months and then I'd sign for three years. I didn't realise that they could say no after the loan.
"Had I known? I would have gone elsewhere. It was a pity, because I was training really well, and the coach (Guus Hiddink) only played me twice. I never understood why."
Pato now plies his trade in the MLS with Orlando City, where he has netted two goals in 11 appearances this campaign.
Darren Plant
