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Name:	Ricardo Carvalho
Nationality:	Portuguese
Date of Birth:	18/05/1978
Height:	6' 0" (183cm)
Weight:	12st 0lbs (76.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:	Porto
Position:	Defender

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An important part of Chelsea's rock-solid defence in his first two Chelsea seasons when back-to-back championships were won, Ricardo took his performances onto a new level last campaign.

 

Rising to the challenge of a holding together a rearguard in danger of being blown apart by injury, he was the outstanding defender of the year, also making vital contributions when striding up the pitch.

 

That made it all the more cruel when a knee injury in the final month ruled him out of a Wembley crowing glory.

 

The new Portuguese influence at Chelsea was increased further with the signing that completed José Mourinho's squad for his opening 2004/5 season.

 

A central defender was needed to takeover from the departing Marcel Desailly and the new Chelsea manager went for what he trusted.

 

Ricardo had played a key part in Porto's remarkable two years packed with domestic and European honours. Desailly's place was taken by another proven winner.

 

The new man's reputation as a central defender dominant with both feet and head was enhanced at Euro 2004 where he was selected for UEFA's All-Star Squad of the Tournament.

 

His anticipation and interception skills have long been admired.

 

Ricardo's playing days began at Leca before joining Porto as a teenager although after one appearance he was sent away to Vitória Setubal and then Alverca on loan.

 

However when the long-established Jorge Costa left Porto on loan to Charlton, Ricardo's door to trophy success and international recognition had opened.

 

He played every minute of Porto's Champions League-winning campaign and took Fernando Couto's place in Portugal's Euro 2004 team after an opening game defeat by Greece. The host nation made the Final.

 

A remarkable 2004 was capped by the winning of UEFA's European Football Award for Best Defender.

 

The manner in which he adapted to the demands of the Premier League and became an important part of Chelsea's rock-solid rearguard following a £19.85 million move confirmed that status.

 

A broken toe brought a two-month interruption during the winter of the 2004/5 season but Ricardo returned for the Carling Cup Final win and the triumphant championship-winning climax.

 

The 2005/6 season began with the player speaking to the media when he failed to make the early team selections.

 

Mourinho reacted publicly and strongly. Lessons were learnt and Ricardo continued on as a regular choice in Chelsea's frequently impenetrable defence.

 

The Premiership win was his fourth consecutive domestic title spread across two countries and he capped another memorable campaign with a break from the back and emphatic finish in the championship-sealing victory over Man United.

 

One of the many Chelsea World Cup 2006 participants, Ricardo was the innocent party in a Wayne Rooney sending-off incident but conceded the penalty that saw Portugal eliminated by France in the semi-final.

 

Following the departure of William Gallas that summer, Chelsea's fortunes relied even more on Riccy maintaining good form in the heart of the Blues' defence, and that was before lengthy injuries to John Terry and Petr Cech. He answered the call and has recently signed up to spend the rest of his peak years at Stamford Bridge.

 

2007/8 has seen Carvalho remain a lynchpin in the centre of defence, but injuries to his knee and back have restricted his appearances, and his absence has at times been felt.

Returning to the squad in early 2008 following suspension, he has resumed normal service at the heart of the defence, as eager as ever to get forward and join in attacks when possible.