Ballon d’or winner, World Cup winner, three times in the UEFA World XI, and a list of personal achievements that stretch nearly as long as his gangly 6ft 1 frame. Hardly a resume of a player that at just 30, could be leaving the Galacticos of Real Madrid this summer.
Kaka commanded a transfer fee of £57m just three years ago, but even his most ardent fan would admit that since then, his performances have been lackluster at best.
He has amassed 26 goals and 30 assists in his 105 appearances for Los Blancos, and is still very much a part of the Brazilian national team, so there is certainly no question that he can still do it on the biggest stage, a place where Chelsea undoubtedly want to be.
The big question is, with Roman Abramovich set to release Frank Lampard this summer, would he go against his age-policy and bring in Kaka, at 30? Only three of Chelsea’s midfielders are over the age of 30, and with the other two being Malouda and Benayoun, you would expect that number to be zero come July. There is no doubt the current crop players have the ability to be successful, although whether Abramovich believes Lampard does, is open to discussion.
Age is clearly no factor when it comes to Premier League football, you only have to look at Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Manchester United to see that, and while it seems Lampard’s time is done, there is no reason to suggest Kaka is ‘past-it’ or would not be a great signing, especially on a free transfer. His country obviously see his worth as well, despite a lack of first-team action, he was the only midfielder over the age of 25 in the squad for Colombia in November. Clearly Brazil know the importance of experience and leadership on the field, whether Roman can see the light on that is a different issue.
Jose Mourinho is keen to let the man leave the Bernabeu, citing his inflated wages, and the fact he is simply a shadow of the man that won the Ballon d’or in 2007. That said, he is more than capable of marshalling a Premier League midfield, and with his international compatriots Ramires and Oscar around him, there is no doubt that he would be keen on a move, especially one that would guarantee first-team football.
One deciding factor could well be his managers position though, with rumours that Jose could possibly return to the Bridge, its unlikely that he would get games at the Bridge under him, however, I firmly believe that we should not try and replicate the Mourinho era under him again, and that in Kaka, we could well get ourselves steal of the season.