Robinho's preference for City 'not normal' says Deco

Chelsea's Deco admits he was gobsmacked when Robinho made his shock move from Real Madrid to Manchester City in the final hours of transfer deadline day.

Chelsea were favourites to sign the Brazil international but, after they refused to meet Madrid's asking price, the mercurial winger ended up joining their Premier League rivals City for £32.4m.

Robinho's switch from the Spanish champions to a club who were playing second-tier football just six years ago surprised the football world and not least Deco. "To leave Madrid to go to Chelsea is OK, but I have my doubts with respect to City," Deco said, undaunted by the fact Chelsea meet City in the league on Saturday.

"We will have to ask Robinho what happened. It's not normal either to change Real for City only for the money. Robinho has the standing to play in a team which aspire to titles."

With regards to his own summer switch from Spain to England, Deco has revealed he is settling into life at Stamford Bridge. The former Barcelona player has already been a hit on the field, scoring twice in Chelsea's opening three games to help them to the top of the Premier League, while off it he admits his new team-mates are making it easy for him to adapt.

He said: "They are two great teams and the biggest difference, which could be the yearning for friends and Barcelona team-mates, is offset because at Stamford Bridge there is Belletti, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Bosingwa, Hilario and the coach is Luiz Felipe Scolari, a very important manager in my career as coach of Portugal. I'm at home in London."

Chelsea were not the only club interested in signing Deco this summer, with Italian giants Internazionale also linked to the diminutive playmaker. However, Deco insists he does not regret turning his back on joining up with his former Porto manager Jose Mourinho.

"I liked the plans of Felipe Scolari more and to play next to Lampard, Essien, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Terry and Co is a pleasure," he said.