Continuing with what we hope will be a definitive build-up to what is a huge Champions League tie against Barcelona, here`s the next instalment of our they played for both clubs` series.
In this instalment, we`re concentrating on two right-sided defenders – Albert Ferrer and Juliano Belletti.
Albert Ferrer – Mini Fact File
Full Name – Albert Ferrer Llopis
Date of Birth – 6 June 1970
Place of Birth – Barcelona, Spain
Height – Five Feet Seven Inches
Position – Right-Back
Youth Career – Marristas de Rubí, Barcelona.
Clubs – Barcelona C, Barcelona B, Tenerife (loan), Barcelona, Chelsea
Clubs Managed – Vitesse, Cordoba, Mallorca
International Honours – Spain U18, U19, U20, U21, U23, Spain
Albert Ferrer was one of those players you`d call dependable. Never spectacular but always a 7 out of 10 man.
Born in Barcelona, Ferrer started his career with the Nou Camp giants making over 200 appearances for the Catalan side. During his time with Barcelona he won 5 League title, 1 European Cup, 2 domestic cups, 4 Super Cups and 2 UEFA Super Cups.
In June 1998, Ferrer left Barcelona and signed for Chelsea in a deal worth £2.2 million. In his first season with Chelsea he helped the club qualify for the Champions League, the following season Chelsea reached the FA Cup Final, but Ferrer missed the game through injury, that season he also helped Chelsea reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League and in the process scored his only goal for Chelsea in the 2-0 win over Hertha Berlin, at Stamford Bridge.
The following season, with Vialli in charge, a combination of injuries and the rotation policy employed by the manager saw Ferrer`s appearances restricted. Once again Chelsea reached the FA Cup Final and once again Ferrer wasn`t in the line-up, this time through not being selected.
Ferrer left Chelsea when his contract expired in May 2003 and promptly retired from playing.
An under-rated defender who didn`t get the recognition he perhaps deserved.
Juliano Belletti – Mini Fact File
Full Name – Juliano Haus Belletti
Date of Birth – 20 June 1976
Place of Birth – Cascavel, Brazil
Height – Five Feet Ten Inches
Position – Right-Back
Youth Career – Cruzeiro
Clubs – Cruzeiro, Sao Paulo, Atletico Mineiro (loan), Villarreal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Fluminese.
International Honours – Brazil
Juliano Belletti, born in Brazil, signed for Barcelona in 2004, having played in Spanish football with Villarreal. In his first season at the Nou Camp, Belletti gained a reputation as an expert set-piece taker, a good outside shout for first goal scorer to use your bonus promotion code on, and played his part in Barcelona winning La Liga.
His second season at the Nou Camp wasn`t quite as prolific when it came to appearances, however he was to come off the bench in the Champions League Final, when Barcelona played Arsenal to play a significant part in proceedings, scoring the winning goal as Barcelona came from a goal behind to beat the Gunners.
At the end of his third season with Barcelona, Belletti moved to Chelsea, signing in August 2007. At Stamford Bridge, Belletti showed his versatility by playing in an array of positions.
That season Chelsea reached the Champions League Final, in Moscow, against Manchester United, a game that ended 1-1. Belletti, on as a late substitute, replacing Claude Makalele, took the second spot-kick and scored with his first touch of the game, sadly the rest is history.
During his time with Chelsea, Belletti scored a couple of spectacular long-range goals, including one away to Middlesbrough which further endeared him to the Chelsea support.
In May 2010, Belletti came off the bench to replace Michael Ballack and was part of the celebrations as Chelsea beat Portsmouth to claim the famous trophy.
Belletti`s Chelsea career ended in June 2010 when he was one of three players released by Chelsea, but the Brazilian left Stamford Bridge with an impressive haul of medals which included – 1 Premier League winners medal and 2 FA Cup winners` medals.
Albert Ferrer and Juliano Belletti, the second in our ongoing series of players who have worn the shirts of both Barcelona and Chelsea.
Stay tuned for the next instalment, where we`ll be taking a look at a couple of strikers who retain our affections.
They Played for Both – Barcelona (1)