Staying at Chelsea not the only viable option for Alexandre Pato

Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, on loan from Corinthians until the end of the season, has had a couple changes with Chelsea thus far to prove his value to the team.  The first one, against Aston Villa was highly successful, but the second, at Swansea had mixed results. Having made only two appearances for Chelsea in almost three months, his parent club Corinthians are rightly worried that the Blues might not pick up the buy-option included in his loan deal, in which case they'd have to make the best out of an awkward situation.

According to club president Roberto de Andrade, if Pato doesn't get to stay with Chelsea, Corinthians are willing to reintegrate him into their squad.

"He still has a contract with us which has to be honoured. So nothing has changed in the situation regarding Pato. So, If Chelsea don't want him anymore and don't pay for his transfer, then he will move back to Corinthians. And once back with us he will be used for us in our team."

-Roberto de Andrade; source: Sky Sports

On multiple occasions Pato has spoken about his desire to stay in Europe - and with Chelsea specifically - at the end of his loan deal, but the two games in which he's had the chance to play probably aren't quite enough to convince the club just yet. While there is a good window of opportunity to get Pato, a former world-class prospect at Internacional and AC Milan, for a reasonable price, the 26-year-old's acquisition could be a stumbling block for other talented and young Chelsea strikers such as Dominic Solanke and Bertrand Traoré.

This could still change in the remaining five games, as Pato should get at least a couple more opportunities to impress. But we need to keep in mind that the Pato of 2016 isn't the same as the one from 2010.