Chelsea rumours: Alex Teixeira is Shakhtar star after scoring run

Should any concrete interest from Chelsea materialise in the player, then their hierarchy will hope – after a spell of adjusting to Premier League life – that Alex Teixeira could have the same impact as Willian is having at Stamford Bridge this season.

Honour roll

Hard-working wide player Willian has six free-kicks from 12 shots at goal this term, and his workmanlike qualities made such set-piece nous less than obvious at first glance. Similar question marks have been held over other Shakhtar stars following moves from the Ukraine.

Deep-lying midfielder Fernandinho has played an understated role in Manchester City’s recent success, helping the Etihad outfit to a Premier League and Capital One Cup double in his first season there.

Only international icons Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo scored more Champions League goals than Luiz Adriano last term, and those European exploits for Shakhtar earned the striker a move to AC Milan this summer.

Winger Douglas Costa’s 38 goals and 40 assists from the flank in Ukraine have been built on big time with Bayern Munich, where he has set up an average of one strike per game in the Bundesliga.

Alex Teixeira worthy of Chelsea cash

If such Shakhtar talents can step up and deliver, then they are compelling evidence that Alex Teixeira, who comes from this selfsame crop, can do likewise.

The Blues have had a number of Brazil internationals on their books already, so a move could help their prospective target’s international prospects.

David Luiz, Oscar, Ramires and Willian all racked up plenty of Samba Boys caps while playing club football for Chelsea, having all risen to the Premier League challenge. Three of those four are still in west London, alongside youngster Kenedy, and this contingent of compatriots would make Alex Teixeira feel at home.

Spain playmaker Cesc Fabregas (one goal, three assists all competitions) and Oscar (three goals, one assist) have looked particularly jaded this season, so adding two-footed Alex Teixeira to the Blues’ spine may well add new impetus.

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