Back in June 1998 Chelsea Football Club brought a full-back to the club who was as dependable as they come.
His name was Albert Ferrer, affectionately known as Chappi, arrived from Barcelona for a fee of £2.2 million.
Whilst at the Nou Camp Ferrer had been part of the Barcelona team known as the Dream Team and during his time with the club he won 5 league titles, 1 European Cup, 1 UEFA Cup Winners Cup, 2 Spanish Cups, 4 Spanish Super Cups and 2 UEFA Super Cups, quite a collection.
Ferrer made an instant impact at Chelsea, making the right-back slot his own and quickly becoming a regular in the side. In his first season, at Stamford Bridge, Ferrer helped Chelsea qualify for their first ever Champions League campaign.
The following season Chelsea reached the FA Cup Final but injury was to deprive Ferrer of a place in the starting eleven, as Chelsea went on to lift the famous trophy. In the Champions League, Ferrer played in 14 of the 16 games as Chelsea, in their first-ever Champions League campaign, reached the quarter-finals where, after the aggregate scores were level after the two ties, Chelsea were beaten by Barcelona, Ferrer`s former club. During the Champions League campaign, Ferrer scored his one and only goal for the club, against Hertha Berlin at Stamford Bridge.
The next season saw Ferrer make just 14 appearances in the league, as a result of injuries and the rotation policy used by the then manager, Gianlucca Vialli.
In 2002, Chelsea once again reached the FA Cup Final but, once again, Ferrer was to miss out, this time through not being selected.
Ferrer, out of favour and facing direct competition for his place in the side from others, was to play just 7 times in his final two-years at the club.
After his contract expired in May 2003, Ferrer left Chelsea Football Club and at the age of 33 opted to retire from the game.
During his time with Chelsea the Spaniard made 113 appearances, in reality it should have been far more.
Mini Fact-File – Albert Ferrer
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 – Maristas de Rubí, Barcelona
Playing Career Clubs – Barcelona C, Barcelona B, Tenerife (loan), Barcelona, Chelsea
International Honours – Spain U18, U19, U20, U21, U21, Spain
Clubs Managed – Vitesse, Cordoba, Mallorca
If there is anybody of Spanish origin who you would like to see featured in our new series simply send an e-mail to JUVENILED40@HOTMAIL.COM and we`ll do the rest.
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