Mineiro Prepared To Pay His Dues At Chelsea

Cheslea's under-utilised Brazilian midfielder Mineiro insists he is happy to keep a low profile so long as he is helping the club's cause.

Since signing for Chelsea on a free-transfer six weeks ago as a short-term replacement for crocked midfielder Michael Essien, the 33-year-old has only recently made his first team debut. The former Hertha Berlin player replaced hat-trick hero Nicolas Anelka in the second half of the 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland.

"We talk about the group playing together and Mr Scolari said everybody who is fit, playing well and giving their best will have an opportunity to play and I want to show my work, my capabilities, to do my best for the team, and we try to be the best we can," Mineiro was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"I want to be the best I can because that's what the manager expects: to always be at his disposal, ready when he needs us for the team.

"[We are] players trying to do their best for the same goal. I have to see these players as my allies not my opponents.

"I am not here to fight against them for a place, what we are all trying to do is give our best to improve our games so anyone of us can help the group, that's all we want to do - our best for the team as a group."

Derek Wanner