Boy from Brazil aims to leave Chelsea cold

14 April 2012

If Chelsea's players are feeling apprehensive about next month's chilly Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow, they should spare a thought for their opponents' top scorer. The Muscovites' leading marksman is a boy from Brazil.

That such a precocious talent as Vagner Love has been snapped up by as small a club as CSKA, whose 10,000-capacity stadium is so dilapidated that they no longer play there, reflects the rouble-fuelled resurgence taking place in Russian football.

Vagner attracted attention from several top European clubs after leading Palmeiras to the Brazilian Second Division championship last season, but he chose to swap Rio for the Russian capital.

Russia remains a hugely polarised society but the millions accumulated by the oligarchs are at least trickling down to the masses via the nation's football clubs. More than one third of Premier League sides are backed by big business and CSKA are the biggest beneficiaries, collecting an astonishing £10million each season through a shirt sponsorship deal with Sibneft, Roman Abramovich's oil company. That's more than twoanda-half times the value of Chelsea's contract with Emirates. No wonder Peter Kenyon, Chelsea's chief executive, is looking for a new sponsor. The Sibneft deal enabled CSKA to splash out a Russian record £6m on Vagner after last year's £3.5m purchase of Croatian striker Ivica Olic, investments that should help them retain their title.

Securing the services of Vagner, who made his full Brazil debut in this year's Copa America, was considered a prize in itself and he appears happy despite Moscow's reputation for racism. Speaking in the penthouse apartment he shares with his parents in a northern suburb, the 20-year-old revealed that his only concern is coping with snow for the first time in his life. With sandals on his feet and red beads in his dreadlocked hair, his longing for the beach is there for all to see.

Vagner said: "Moscow is a very beautiful city and if the climate was more similar to Brazil then it would be perfect. This winter will be the first time I've experienced such cold weather and I will have to adapt. It will be the first time I will have seen snow and I'm wondering what to expect.

"I'll try to stay at home as much as possible and will only leave the flat to go to training. For the majority of the time I'm planning to stay inside. It will be difficult as I've never experienced it before and I plan to put on as many clothes as possible, two pairs of gloves, two hats and two shirts. I will have to leave my sandals at home."

Vagner's determination to stay indoors may lead to boredom, but he has shown no sign of restlessness on the pitch. He has been in inspired form this season, scoring nine goals in 13 games including three from four in the Champions League.

During last Saturday's 2-0 win over FC Rostov he appeared to be playing on a different level to his team-mates, with his pace, strength and remarkably quick feet creating several chances before he converted a late penalty won by his own trickery.

CSKA's main focus may be on this weekend's potentially decisive Premier League trip to FC Zenit - the leaders are one point ahead of their rivals from St Petersburg with four games to play - but Vagner is more concerned by tomorrow night's appointment at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "Everyone watches the Champions League so playing well in this competition will open many doors.

"The Russian championship is not transmitted to Brazil and I'm not seen by the selectors, so it may be better for me to move further west.

"First of all, though, it's my obligation to do well for CSKA and I must compensate the club for the money they have paid for me. I think we can qualify for the next round of the Champions League but it will be extremely difficult.

"Chelsea are a great team with some very strong players but if we do our best we can beat them. We respect them but when you enter the football field anything can happen.

"We have good players and will do everything we can to defend our club. We're not afraid of Chelsea and are looking forward to playing them."

Progression to the second stage of the Champions League would extend his winter's work in Moscow, but the prospect of a flourishing international career warms Vagner's heart.

He said: "Playing for Brazil was very special and my next ambition is to gain a regular place in the team. It's difficult for me playing in Russia because I'm so far from the coach, but I'm not losing hope because I'm young. I'm confident that I'll win my rightful place in the future.

"If I keep scoring goals then they'll pick me eventually and that's all I can do. I started playing on the streets with my friends, running between the cars, and my dream to be a professional has come true. My ambition now is to become a champion and win titles. I want to get into Brazil's national team and defend our World Cup in Germany."

If he can cope with the misery of a Moscow winter then anything is possible.

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Boy from Brazil aims to leave Chelsea cold

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