Just 24 hours after Luiz Felipe Scolari’s departure from
Chelsea, the agent of Inter star Adriano has claimed that the
Brazilian coach attempted to lure his fellow countryman to Stamford
Bridge.
Scolari missed out on the signing of Robinho in August when
Manchester City gazumped Chelsea’s bid for the Real Madrid forward
and it has now been confirmed that Adriano, who is expected to
start alongside the City striker in Tuesday night’s friendly
against Italy, was also a target.
Gilmar Rinaldo claims Scolari tried to sign Adriano from San
Siro before seeing his plan evaporate and that the troubled
striker, who was also linked with Tottenham, is now happy in
Milan.
“Now I can say it, Scolari wanted Adriano at Chelsea, we
discussed many times,” Rinaldi told Radio Kiss Kiss.
“But above all I spoke with (sporting director Marco) Branca and
together we decided that the best thing in the end was for him to
remain at Inter.
“It is the ideal environment where he can get back to full
strength. Adriano is now well and it shows.
“Nobody believed me last month when I said he would remain at
Inter and eventually he did.
“He has had some problems in the past as is normal for a young
player but he is now 27 years old and knows how to behave.”