Jose Mourinho's thoughts turn to Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho

22 May 2009 12:01
Mourinho claimed the Serie A title with Inter in his first season, in so doing recording a league success in a third country after title wins with Chelsea and Porto previously. However, failure to deliver a sustained challenge in Europe has put pressure on the Portuguese to rejuvenate his squad and he values the experience of his compatriot. 'Carvalho is one of the best central defenders in the world,' Mourinho said. 'A year ago it was impossible to think of him. Now I think it is.' Carvalho, whose season has been dogged by injury, has three years left on his Chelsea contract but has fallen behind Alex in the pecking order to partner John Terry, making just 18 appearances for the club this season compared with Alex's 40. Carvalho was signed for Chelsea by Mourinho in 2004 for £19.85 million, with the price driven up by Porto because Chelsea's new manager was so desperate to acquire him. He has proved a great success over the course of his time at Stamford Bridge while Mourinho has remained an admirer of such an uncompromising player. Mourinho said Inter were also interested in signing Dutch club Twente Enschede's 20-year-old Austrian winger Marko Arnautovic. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has become the first Chelsea player to win the club's Player of the Year award for a third time. Lampard, who won the title in 2004 and 2005, was again voted the leading performer over the season by the fans.

Source: Telegraph