Chelsea FC’s 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time
16. Ricardo Carvalho: 2004-10
Ricardo Carvalho arrived at Stamford Bridge alongside Jose Mourinho, who signed him as he came over with Porto. His £20 million price tag (huge for a defender) meant that he had high expectations to fulfil. By virtue of his inclusion on this list, he most certainly met them.
His six seasons in West London saw him sit at the heart of an incredibly successful Chelsea team. Many point to the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard as the pillars upon which this modern Blues side was built, but Carvalho was a significant support as well.
Four out of his six campaigns saw him make at least 35 competitive appearances as he bulked up an already impressive trophy cabinet. His material rewards at Stamford Bridge came in the form of three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups while his total 210 appearances makes him one of Chelsea’s greatest servants.
He was renowned for his ability to deal with pressure situations, adding grace to what is usually a rather primitive position in centre-back. The fact that he still features consistently for AS Monaco, despite being 37-years-old, underlines how his style has helped him prolong his career at the highest level.
A class act overall and perhaps one that has been somewhat overlooked throughout the years.
Next: #15