Baptism of Fire for Ricardo Carvalho

Chelsea FC and Portugal Central Defender Ricardo Carvalho rejoins his former boss, Jose Mourinho as a member of Real Madrid’s squad. He arrives this Wednesday night in Madrid, will undergo medical exams on Thursday and is set to play in Real’s friendly against Bayern Munich on Friday.

Photo: Baptism of Fire for Ricardo Carvalho

The deal, allegedly worth 8 million EURO, 22 million less than Chelsea FC paid FC Porto in 2004, subject to the medical tests and the player agreeing terms, has been confirmed by Chelsea FC in an official communication on the club’s website. Ricardo Carvalho, 32, took over from Marcel Desailly in the heart of Chelsea’s defence when he came over from FC Porto with Mourinho in 2004.

Real Madrid, anticipating the coming of this rock in the central defence, praises Carvalho’s sense of “perfect positioning, his foresight and his ability to advance the ball out of the first third” and states that his speed and elegance have earned him the reputation he enjoys, namely that of “leadership status” in all the teams he has represented as a player.

Born in Amarante, northern Portugal, on May 18, 1978, Ricardo Alberto Silveira Carvalho began his career in the FC Porto youth team in 1996-1997, representing FC Porto from 1997-2004 (72 games and 6 goals).

Leça FC (1997-1998), moving to FC Porto in 1998-1999 (Portuguese Championship and Super Cup); he was on loan to Leça FC (1997-1998, 1 game, no goals), to Vitória de Setúbal from 1999-2000 (25 games and 2 goals), and to Alverca FC in 2000-2001 (29 appearances and 1 goal) before returning to FC Porto’s first-team squad, where he won two more Portuguese Championship titles in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, the Portuguese Cup in 2002-2003, Portuguese Super Cup in 2001 and 2003; UEFA Cup 2002-2003; Champions League 2003-2004.

From 2004-2010 Ricardo Carvalho (Ricci) played for Chelsea FC in London where he won three Premier League titles (2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2009-2010), three FA Cups (2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2009-2010), two League Cups (2004-2005, 2006-2007) and two Community Shields (2005, 2009).

His international career for Portugal (one UEFA Runner-up in 2004 and one 4th place in FIFA 2006 began in 2003. In 67 games for Portugal Ricardo Carvalho has scored 4 goals.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru