Ricardo Carvalho’s cruel season finale

Chelsea star defender, Ricardo Carvalho will miss the return leg of Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final and may be out of action for the remainder of the season. José Mourinho’s side where given the bad news after this weekend’s 2 – 2 draw, at home, against Bolton.

This is a hard blow for a player that provided the glue to Chelsea’s defense this year. If Chelsea win any more titles this season, it will be in large part because of his hard work and startling talent. Carvalho has proven to be both a workhorse and a one of a kind talent, capable of turning a game with a moment of brilliance – a rare commodity indeed.

Regrettably, the life of a central defender is thankless compared to the spotlight of an attacking forward. Perhaps in a different world he might get more media time. In a twisted way, his perfection is his undoing. He just executes so well in central defense, that you can’t imagine him playing any where else – even if he can.

Carvalho’s record speaks for itself and you can make a pretty good case that he is the most underrated footballer in England. I myself have called him one of the best all-around footballers in the world.

In addition to his defensive duties striking fear into the heart of attacking forwards, he also provides an awesome attacking threat in the air. He can stop a counter attack cold and run and gun with the big boys. Heck, he can score from pretty much anywhere. And sometimes, well somtimes he’s just simply sublime.

So when it’s all said and done in a few weeks, if you see a podium dressed in Chelsea blue and white remember the contribution of one very soft spoken defender – remember that as we cast the limelight on players like Drogba, Rooney and Ronaldo, we should not ignore the giants that stand in their shadows.