Chelsea and Manchester City on alert as Ronaldinho hints at moving to England

The Brazil playmaker has long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge - while Manchester City have also expressed an interest - and speculation has gathered pace with the Blues' recent appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as coach.  

However, while Ronaldinho professed an admiration for his countryman, he remained coy about whether he would be linking up again with the man who led him and Brazil to the 2002 World Cup.  

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New challenge: Ronaldinho is a fan of the Premier League

'Every player would love to play in such a competitive championship like the English league,' Ronaldinho told Globo TV.   'I'm happy because almost all the teams want me to play for them.  

'I'm very happy for him (Scolari). I admire him a lot and I hope he can make all his dreams come true. I wish him well.'  

Ronaldinho has been a shadow of his former self in recent months, with his poor form not helped by a long-term muscle injury, and has been told by Barcelona that he is not part of their plans as they make wholesale changes after two trophy-less seasons.

The playmaker claims he is as upset as anyone over Barca's disappointing campaign and insists he will soon be back to his world-beating best.  

'When a lot of problems come together, the whole team is not well and players find it difficult to shine,' added Ronaldinho.  

'I'm as upset as my team-mates for not playing well. The lack of titles let us down even more.  

'Now I am recovered. Everything is perfect and I've started a new stage in my rehabilitation.  

'I want to profit from these holidays to return as soon as possible to achieve my dreams of becoming the world's best player and playing in the world's best team.

'And moreover, I want to be world champion with the Selecao again, that's my objective.' 

Ronaldinho has not played for four months and has not featured in Brazil coach Dunga's plans since November.  

However, he was in the stands for Wednesday's goalless World Cup qualifier between Brazil and Argentina, fuelling speculation that he is set for a return to the international fold.  

And the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year has targeted this year's Olympic Games as the moment where he will prove he is well on the path to recovery.  

'The gold medal is a title Brazilian football has not achieved yet and all players dream of making history by clinching that medal,' Ronaldinho continued.  

'The Olympics are one of my dreams. I want to schedule my recovery and train hard to be in the national team as soon as possible.'