Deco: Hleb can replace me

Barcelona midfielder Deco believes Arsenal's Alexander Hleb is the ideal candidate to replace him when he leaves the Nou Camp this summer.

The Portugal playmaker, whose four-year spell with the Primera Liga side is set to come to an end, has revealed he is an admirer of the Belarus midfielder.

"Most of the players (tipped to replace me) are good players," Deco told El Mundo Deportivo. "I like Hleb a lot. I have followed him since his time at Stuttgart and also at Arsenal."

Deco claimed Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, who also both look set to leave Barcelona, would be difficult to replace.

"They don't deserve the treatment they have received over the last few months," he said. "They should leave with their heads held high for everything they have achieved at the club. They will be difficult to replace."

Deco admitted he has still to decide where he will play his football next season, but hinted he may join either Internazionale or Chelsea.

"I will have to look at a lot of things," he said. "My relationship with (Inter coach) Jose (Mourinho) is undoubtedly excellent and that counts.

"Inter are a good team and any player would be happy to play there, but Chelsea are as well, and several friends of mine play there, like Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Hilario and now Jose Bosingwa."

Deco also revealed he would love to team up with Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari at club level, but did not know whether it would be at Chelsea.

"You'll have to ask him about that (the speculation linking Scolari to the West Londoners)," he said. "But he is also a coach with whom I have a great trust and a relationship that is impossible to better."