Photo: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Alexandre Pato joined Chelsea last January on loan from Corinthians, as interim manager Guus Hiddink looked to provide cover for a number of injuries. Although he scored on his debut, the Brazilian only managed one more appearance for the Blues, as all the injured players returned back from injury.

“I wish I had played more, but I understand,” the Brazilian said of his time at Stamford Bridge.

“Twenty days after I arrived, everyone who was injured returned. And I was the last one, had just arrived. It was not what I expected, but it passed.”

Pato, who joined Villarreal on a permanent deal in the summer, admits Hiddink made it clear from the start that he was a back-up player.

The 27-year-old added: “Guus was very correct from the first day. When I arrived, we talked a lot. Chelsea had two or three players injured.

“Guus told me: ‘Look, Pato, you know there’s a hierarchy here, we have rules. You’ll be here, and I’ll give you a chance when I can.’

“I went to Chelsea with an illusion that I would play and show more, so maybe I could stay longer.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t able to play what I could have played. In the two games I played, I showed my football, I scored on my debut.”