Big Phil failed with Inter swoop
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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.”