Chelsea midfielder Deco has hit out at claims he is Luiz Felipe Scolari's pet player.
The Portuguese international has come in for criticism as the Blues' form has slumped in recent weeks.
Some fans are also frustrated he has received what they perceive as preferential treatment from boss Scolari.
The former Barcelona star has completed 90 minutes regularly for the Blues this season while the likes of Joe Cole have found themselves substituted in virtually every game.
But Deco is baffled why he is being singled out, claiming he has always been a starter during successful spells at Porto and Barcelona.
He said: "I do not understand why people are saying this about me and Felipao (Scolari).
"When we first came (to Chelsea) and things were going well, it was all 'Felipao is the boss - this team is going to win everything'.
"Now it's all different and people are looking to blame somebody."
Deco began the season in great form, scoring terrific goals against Pompey and Wigan but has struggled to find the net since.
But the former Porto star - who won the UEFA Champion League while in Portugal - is adamant he deserves to play and refutes claims he is in the team purely because he has worked with Scolari before.
"Anybody who claims that I am only in the team because of my relationship with Felipao is simply making it up.
"I have won many things in my football career and none of them were with Felipao.
"If you look at my career I was rarely on the bench for any team. Wherever I have been, I have been a starter and Felipao was not my coach there. I do not need to explain myself," he added.
The 31-year-old has also stated he hopes to return to his home town of Sao Paulo in Brazil to finish his career.
"I have a desire to come back to live in Brazil and I have a dream to go back to Corinthians.
"I have three more years at Chelsea but this will be my last contract in Europe."
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