Shrewsbury Town's opposition: Buzz at Colchester United as ex-AC Milan and Brazil star linked with investment
Despite recent results not going their way, there is a buzz around Colchester United amid potential investment interest from a former AC Milan and Brazil striker.
Speculation has been rife both locally and nationally after Alexandre Pato was spotted at the U's recent home match against Fleetwood Town, fuelling reports of his interest in investing in the League Two club.
The former Brazil international, who starred for AC Milan and enjoyed spells across Europe and South America, is understood to be part of a group exploring investment opportunities at the Essex outfit.
Colchester have since confirmed that Pato was a guest of chairman Robbie Cowling for their victory over Fleetwood, a result that preceded back-to-back league defeats.
On the pitch, the U's remain firmly in the play-off hunt. They sit 12th in the League Two table with 11 wins to their name and are just seven points adrift of the top seven. But, momentum has stalled following consecutive 1-0 defeats to Grimsby Town and Crewe Alexandra.
Injuries have played a significant role. The U’s are monitoring the fitness of Kane Vincent-Young and Arthur Read, with both players adding to an already lengthy injury list.
Head coach Dan Cowley is well known for his rise through non-league football into the EFL. He famously guided Lincoln City to FA Cup history in 2017, becoming the first non-league side in over a century to reach the quarter-finals, knocking out Ipswich Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Premier League Burnley before eventually losing to Arsenal.
Cowley's journey mirrors, in some respects, that of Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan, who has recently taken charge of Salop in his first Football League role following a successful spell at Brackley Town, where he oversaw a historic promotion to the National League.
Shrewsbury's last visit to Colchester came almost a decade ago, in February 2016, when the sides played out a goalless draw. Town's last victory on Colchester soil dates back to September 1, 1992, when they claimed a 2-0 win in the old Division Three.
