Chelsea FC’s 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time
37. Carlo Cudicini: 1999-2008
Carlo Cudicini is one of the most underrated players in the history of Chelsea FC. His name is often forgotten when the argument of who the best keeper to ever play for the club takes place but one can make a strong case for the Italian.
Cudicini started his career in Italy with AC Milan and went on to feature for three other Italian clubs before coming to Chelsea on loan in 1999. He only made three appearances for the Blues before they made the deal permanent for a fee of £300,000, which ended up being quite the bargain.
The Italian keeper became a Chelsea regular for the next four years and ended up making 216 appearances in all competitions. Of those 216 appearances, Cudicini kept a clean sheet in 101, enough to put him third all-time for the club behind Petr Cech and Peter Bonetti. His excellent performances in a Chelsea shirt helped him win the club’s Player of the Year award in 2002.
Cudicini stayed at Chelsea until 2009 but was not a first-choice keeper after his place was taken by new arrival Cech in 2004. He was part of the squads that won several honors over the next four seasons but was on the bench for most of the Blues’ triumphs. Perhaps because of his lack of trophies as the number one, Cudicini is never quite given the respect he deserves from Chelsea fans but he is still a beloved figure at the club.
Next: #36