Name	Ricardo Carvalho
Height	6′ 0
Naionality	Portuguese
Date of Birth	May 18, 1978
Place of Birth	Amarante, Porto, Portugal
Famous for

His self-described worst ever season behind him, Ricardo has made a solid start to the new campaign, with his contribution also bringing an important equaliser against Manchester United in the Community Shield.

The 2007/08 Players' Player of the Year made managed just 18 first team appearances in 2008/09, his season ravaged by knee and hamstring injuries.

Summer speculation linked him with a move away but he stayed focused and returned after the break in fine shape, earning a man of the match award at Wembley thanks in part to his diving headed goal.

Having started last season in top form, best highlighted by a performance away at Manchester City in which he scored and at times defended the Chelsea goal single-handedly in the face of multiple strikers.

Then injury struck as he limped off against Manchester United in September before a return against Roma a month later. Three games into his return the troublesome hamstring went at Hull and that was it until Christmas.

Further comebacks came against Fulham and Manchester United but disappointing results matched under par performances, and when Riccy limped out of the FA Cup win over Ipswich it looked like he could be out for some time.

Two more attempts were made to return, against Juventus in March and Bolton in April, but the defender's levels of performance were not as high as the Stamford Bridge faithful had become accustomed to over the previous two campaigns.

Rising to the challenge of a holding together a rearguard during John Terry's unfortunate two year run of injuries, he has consistently been outstanding in defence while also making vital contributions on striding further up the pitch.

Ricardo was originally part of a big Portuguese influx at Chelsea that came with José Mourinho's arrival for the 2004/05 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 when he was selected for Uefa's All-Star Squad of the Tournament.

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 his status.

A broken toe brought a two-month interruption during the winter of the 2004/05 season but Ricardo returned for the Carling Cup Final win and the triumphant championship-winning climax.

The 2005/06 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 learned and Ricardo continued on as a regular choice in Chelsea's frequently impenetrable defence.

He capped another memorable campaign with a break from the back and emphatic finish in the championship-sealing victory over Man United.

Following the departure of William Gallas that summer, Chelsea's fortunes relied even more on Ricardo maintaining good form in the heart of the defence, and that was before lengthy injuries to John Terry and Petr Cech.

He duly responded with two impeccable seasons, making last year all the more disappointing. Now fully fit, he faces an interesting challenge from Alex and Branislav Ivanovic to make the centre-back spot his own again, but on early season form is winning the battle.