Chelsea put Pato in their revised Champions League squad ahead of Radamel Falcao, who is still out with a thigh injury, but the Brazilian may not be fit enough for either leg of their last-16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
“Pato is in his pre-season and we have made a training plan, which he is doing now every day at least once, but lots of days twice training,” said interim manager Guus Hiddink.
“He is getting his fitness, but not full fitness yet and he needs to be fine-tuned. We made a good plan. He will not be in for the upcoming few games. We want to have him fit, but not going too early for the risk of injury in this tough league.”
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Asked whether or not Pato can make any sort of impact at Chelsea this season, Hiddink added: “I hope so, but that's why it is good to have him on loan and not already in a situation where the club has offered him a longer term (contract). So it’s good for both parties and they can see whether they fit.
“He is skilful that’s what we know. Techinically he is very good. He is ambitious of course, but he needs more physical fitness.
“He played his last game on November 28 then holiday because it is a different season, so it is a pre-season for him. We like to pressure him, but we must be careful not going over the top.”
Hiddink refused to discuss the fact that Atletico Madrid have already confirmed they will try to re-sign Costa at the end of this season.
But the Dutchman admitted Chelsea will need to prove their ambition to keep their star players if they miss out of qualification for the Champions League.
“Everything is to do with the ambition of the club and loyalty is secured by contracts,” said Hiddink. “Don’t think we can go back to the fifties where you can swear you will stay forever at a club. But if a club shows you have a plan and a strong squad, then it can be attractive as well.
“If you don’t get Champions League one year, but you show you are very keen to get back, that might be important for players.”
Manchester United are having to close the top tier of Old Trafford for their Europa League last-32 game against Midtjylland, having been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.
Both United and Chelsea are in danger of missing out on qualifying for next season’s Champions League and Hiddink hinted the Blues would use the Europa League as a breeding ground for their young players if they ended up in Europe’s second-tier competition.
“The Europa League is a different attention, that’s true,” said Hiddink. “I don’t want to have it without prestige, but it gives a chance to bring young players into that competition.”
- Telegraph