With Michael Essien expected to be out for around six months and Chelsea lacking cover for Jon Obi Mikel, it looks as if Chelsea are about to bring Brazilian international Mineiro into the Stamford Bridge fold.

There’s been plenty of rumours around lately regarding short-term cover and although Stephen Appiah’s name has been bandied about a bit, recent reports suggest Chelsea are now on the verge of concluding a free transfer for 33 year-old Mineiro.

The Brazilian apparently had a trial with Arsenal recently and Birmingham have also been reported to have had an interest in the defensive midfielder although it now looks as if he’ll be spending the season at Chelsea.

Scolari is pretty familiar with Mineiro who spent most of his career in his home country and has 25 caps for Brazil. He’s been out of contract since leaving Hertha Berlin in the summer, where he’d been since joining the German club in the 2006-2007 campaign.

Reports suggest the holding midfielder had a successful medical on Friday and Scolari’s assistant, Flavio Murtosa, told Radio Bandeirantes “We have practically completed the recruitment of Mineiro. He was available, out of contract with the German club, and at this time we had the chance to hire him and satisfy our need for a new midfielder.”

Not sure signing a 33 year old who’s last club decided not to renew his contract is much to get excited about really, although at least it’s a squad player providing cover that’s not there right now.

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