Ricardo Carvalho to sign for Real Madrid.

[arooj.livejournal.com]

Real Madrid have agreed a fee of €8 million for Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho.

The Blues confirmed they have agreed terms for the sale of the Portugal international defender, while Madrid revealed Carvalho will join on a two-year deal.

A Chelsea statement read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Ricardo Carvalho.

"The transfer is subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms.

"Chelsea would like to thank Riccy for his six years of service, and we wish him well in his future career."

At the weekend, Jose Mourinho suggested that Carvalho's advancing years meant he was unlikely to link up once again with the defender, who under the new Real coach won the 2004 Champions League with Porto and two Premier League titles with Chelsea.

However, Real saw their bid to sign Inter Milan right-back Maicon collapse and while Benfica's David Luiz and AC Milan's Thiago Silva were alternative targets, they appear to have turned to Carvalho in an effort to improve their defence.

The Portugal international picked up a third Premier League title last season but has seen his first-team chances reduce in recent seasons, with Brazilian defender Alex finding favour under Guus Hiddink and then Carlo Ancelotti.

Best known for his perfect positioning, his foresight and his ability to advance the ball out of the first third, Ricardo Alberto Silveira Carvalho (18-05-78 Amarante, Portugal) joins Real Madrid at the age of 32 and with 19 titles to speak of.

Sauce

Comments

[sashaj22.livejournal.com]

he'll most likely play at CB with Pepe/Albiol with Garay on the bench. Pepe's injured right now, though.

Sergio and Arbeloa/Marcelo play on the wings, with Sergio on the right and (hopefully) Arbeloa on the left. Marcelo in midfield or on the bench. lol

[julialonso.livejournal.com]

Oh si. I think he would make a good partneship with Pepe. Don't know if Mourinho would use three quarterbacks, but I don't think Albiol and Arbeloa are good players as many think, I think Ricardo could very well fill that position. With Marcelo and Ramos as Wings.

Unfortunately he has age against him, but I'm sure that Mourinho is bring him to enjoy the first team.

[lieslies.livejournal.com]

lol what?
you're suggesting Albiol and Arbeloa aren't that great and then saying we should play Marcelo?
No wonder you called them quarterbacks not centre backs....

[vaguely-dirty.livejournal.com]

LMAO