Chelsea's £8m signing of delicious Deco is looking great value after shining on pre-season tour

Graeme Souness, while manager of Benfica, let the Portugal midfielder go after deciding he did not have what it takes, while Luis Figo was originally highly critical of Deco's selection for the national side following citizenship after six years in his adopted country.

Fine art: Deco in control during Chelsea's friendly against a Malaysia Select XI

Even Luiz Felipe Scolari admits to being among their number, having revealed his regret at not selecting Deco for Brazil while manager. At least Scolari got a second bite of the cherry after becoming Portugal coach.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta's decision to sell Deco to Chelsea for £8million means he will not be afforded the same luxury as Scolari.

Laporta claimed it was good business, insisting that, at 30, Deco's 'career is coming to an end'. The bad news for the under-pressure president is that, judging by Deco's performances for Chelsea in their three Asia Tour games, the £8m Chelsea paid Barca could represent the best value of the summer.

The classy playmaker was so easy on the eye yet again in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over a Malaysia Select XI at the Shah Alam stadium on Tuesday night.

Deco's range of passing, neat flicks and intelligent movement are a joy. But for a fine save by Helmi Eliza Elias, he would have opened his account for his new club with a thunderous 25-yard volley from a Frank Lampard free-kick.

True, looking the part in the heat of China and Malaysia and doing the business on a cold December night in the Barclays Premier League are two different things. But, with owner Roman Abramovich demanding more exciting football next season, it seems Chelsea have bought a player who can deliver that.

Scolari said: 'His style improves other players. He can make everyone better.'

All smiles: Nicolas Anelka celebrates with John Terry after scoring in the 2-0 win in Kuala Lumpur.

Understandably, Scolari is looking for other members of his squad to pitch in when it comes to providing attacking flair. Joe Cole is an obvious candidate, but Scolari is keen for Florent Malouda to rise to the challenge.

The France midfielder failed to impress under Avram Grant in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and Scolari has called on him to reproduce the form that prompted Chelsea to pay Lyon £13.5m for him last summer.

Scolari said: 'I need to give more chances to Malouda because I don't know, if he stays with us, what is his best position.

'He didn't play in the same role last season as he had done at Lyon. I want Malouda the same as he was in Lyon, flying down the wing, shooting and scoring goals. He was wasted last season. Now it's time for me to test him.'

A far sterner test for Chelsea awaits in Moscow, where they meet hosts Lokomotiv on Friday before facing either Milan or Sevilla on Sunday in the Railways Cup.

At least the Malaysia Select XI put up more of a fight than Guangzhou Pharmaceutical or Chengdu Blades. A neat strike from Nicolas Anelka on an awful pitch, rounding off a move involving Deco and Joe Cole, gave Chelsea the first-half lead before substitute Ashley Cole blasted home a Lampard through ball.

Reports that Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan have called off their pursuit of Lampard for the time being at least were treated cautiously by Scolari.

He said: 'I'm happy that Lampard is staying here. Lampard is here with us now and tomorrow. After tomorrow, after one year, after two years, 10 years, I don't know.'