Say Hello to Henrique Hilario

By: Bob | October 16th, 2006

The scene of John Terry somewhat reluctantly standing in goal donning a keeper’s jersey and gloves was a bizarre ending to Saturday’s Premiership match between Chelsea and Reading. Terry was forced into spot goalkeeping duties in the final miutes after both Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were carted off with head injuries. In Cech’s case, the injury led to surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull and Jose Mourinho saying his keeper is lucky to be alive. Yikes.

One of the consequences of all this is that third string keeper Henrique Hilario will likely make his Chelsea debut on Wednesday. Hilario’s introduction to Stamford Bridge will take place in a tiny little game against a team called Barcelona in a competition known as the Champions League. I wonder how he will sleep on Tuesday night.

Hilario came to Chelsea this year on a free transfer from the Portuguese side Nacional. The 31-year-old has been a journeyman in Portugal playing for Varzim, Naval, Estrella Amadora, and Academica de Coimbra, as well as for Mourinho’s FC Porto side in 2003-04 where he twice played in the UEFA Cup. Not exactly a resume that would point to him some day playing in one of the biggest matches in one of the biggest competitions in the world.

It will be fascinating to see how a relatively unknown player on a star-studded team responds to the challenge.

Soccer Forums

Team/International Results

Category: Champions League, English Premier League

Tags: Barcelona, Carlo Cudicini, Champions League, Chelsea, English Premier League, Henrique Hilario, Jose Mourinho, peter cech

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• Chris |  October 16th, 2006 at 1:41 am

  
  
  

  Makes Barcelona’s game plan for them, shoot every chance you get.

  Posted from United States

  

• Pedro P |  October 16th, 2006 at 2:36 am

  
  
  

  In that tiny little team, there’s a tiny little player called Deco, who probably knows everything there is to know about Hilario…

  Hilalio was good but was also some time hilarious… Anyway, If Mourinho picked him up, he probably had some idea… We’ll find out…

  Posted from Netherlands

  

• Bickle |  October 16th, 2006 at 8:58 am

  
  
  

  Those were no mean injuries the Chelsea keepers suffered.

  Cech had a depressed fracture of the skull and will probably have more surgery. There is a chance that there are bits of bone embedded in his brain that could cause bleeding. He won’t play before the New Year, and probably not until next season.

  Cudicini swallowed his tongue when he was hit and fell, and he was given oxygen on the pitch after the folks who treated him cleared his air pipe. They literally saved his life.

  Two guys might very easily have died in that match — and Mike Riley responded by granting two free kicks.

  Posted from United States

  

• blueblood58 |  October 16th, 2006 at 10:56 am

  
  
  

  And didnt Mike Riley do his job well. Making Petr crawl from the pitch to outside the line. Well the hell did that purpose serve!!!

  Anyway

  Carlo was at Cobham, Chelsea’s training ground today, and Petr was well enough to receive visitors to his hospital bed. John Terry and Jose Mourinho to name but a few.

  Carlo (subject to medical advice) is expecting to be available for selection for the Portsmouth game on Saturday.

  With regard to Hilario. Jose wouldn’t have signed him if he didnt think he could do the job.

  COME ON CHELSEA
  COME ON HILARIO
  GET WELL PETR
  GET WELL CARLO

  PS BOB. I am so glad that it takes a week to set up a blogging system. Otherwise after Saturday you would be looking to ‘ban’ me LOL LOL LOL!!!!!

  Posted from United States

  

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