Carlo Ancelotti's arrival and the switch to a diamond formation looked like it would be beneficial for Deco, who had opted to stay at Stamford Bridge despite summer interest from Inter. What many didn't expect though was to see the playmaker employed at the base of the diamond in our first pre-season game, his passing ability utilised from deep to launch attacks in Seattle.
What works against MLS sides may not be so effective against Premier League ones though, and he found himself beginning the campaign on the bench, before a first start at Sunderland where he gave a display of sharp passing and finishing, netting from 25 yards to wrap up a pleasing away win.
A calf injury on international duty saw him sit out a few weeks before returning to help us beat Liverpool, setting Didier Drogba away down the left to cross for Nicolas Anelka's opening goal. He laid on again for Drogba at Aston Villa, but then missed a chance himself that would have earned a draw.
Deco's best form of the season came in two games against Bolton at the end of October, occasions where he completed 90 minutes (this happened 11 times this season) within a few days of each other.
In the first he smashed a tidy shot into the bottom corner, in the second he completed a superb breakaway by cutting inside his man and curling home, before contributing to one of the best team goals of the season, chesting the ball to Frank Lampard who flicked over the defence for Drogba to volley home. This game was Deco at his very best.
Returning from a month off in the deep role against Preston in the FA Cup in January , he kept his position against Birmingham in the league and provided a disciplined shield in front of the defence while offering a convenient start point for attacks in a 3-0 win.
Fitness was proving an issue though and there was another month on the sidelines into March, before a return at Portsmouth in a 4-2-3-1 shape. The switch proved effective as first Pompey were crushed, and then Aston Villa demolished 7-1, the little Portuguese superb with his passing, notably in playing in Yury Zhirkov to cross for Florent Malouda with the outside of his right boot, through the tightest of gaps in the visiting defence.
A week later he was impressive again against Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing an important but understated role in maintaining possession, but a hamstring problem forced him out of the last month of the campaign meaning Deco was, much like in his first season, unable to get a regular run in the side that could bring out his best consistently.
Brilliant in flashes, Deco offered both flair and control when he was available, but the 20 games missed due to injury tell their own story. A run of fitness would surely bring even more impact next time around.
What works against MLS sides may not be so effective against Premier League ones though, and he found himself beginning the campaign on the bench, before a first start at Sunderland where he gave a display of sharp passing and finishing, netting from 25 yards to wrap up a pleasing away win.
A calf injury on international duty saw him sit out a few weeks before returning to help us beat Liverpool, setting Didier Drogba away down the left to cross for Nicolas Anelka's opening goal. He laid on again for Drogba at Aston Villa, but then missed a chance himself that would have earned a draw.
Deco's best form of the season came in two games against Bolton at the end of October, occasions where he completed 90 minutes (this happened 11 times this season) within a few days of each other.
In the first he smashed a tidy shot into the bottom corner, in the second he completed a superb breakaway by cutting inside his man and curling home, before contributing to one of the best team goals of the season, chesting the ball to Frank Lampard who flicked over the defence for Drogba to volley home. This game was Deco at his very best.
Returning from a month off in the deep role against Preston in the FA Cup in January , he kept his position against Birmingham in the league and provided a disciplined shield in front of the defence while offering a convenient start point for attacks in a 3-0 win.
Fitness was proving an issue though and there was another month on the sidelines into March, before a return at Portsmouth in a 4-2-3-1 shape. The switch proved effective as first Pompey were crushed, and then Aston Villa demolished 7-1, the little Portuguese superb with his passing, notably in playing in Yury Zhirkov to cross for Florent Malouda with the outside of his right boot, through the tightest of gaps in the visiting defence.
A week later he was impressive again against Manchester United at Old Trafford, playing an important but understated role in maintaining possession, but a hamstring problem forced him out of the last month of the campaign meaning Deco was, much like in his first season, unable to get a regular run in the side that could bring out his best consistently.
Brilliant in flashes, Deco offered both flair and control when he was available, but the 20 games missed due to injury tell their own story. A run of fitness would surely bring even more impact next time around.
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