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Jose Bosingwa: “I’ll make a big impression at Chelsea”

Defender tells of burning ambition to succeed in Premiership

Jose Bosingwa is the latest addition to the sizeable Portuguese contingent in the English Premiership, joining international team-mates Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Deco at Chelsea.

The tireless Portugal right-back is far from overawed by the big expectations that come with the pricey transfer fee. In an interview given to Portuguese daily, A Bola, Bosingwa explained his fascination with the Premier League and his burning ambition “to make a big impression and win everything” at the London club.

Having played all his professional career in the city of Porto, first at Boavista, then at FC Porto, Bosingwa revealed that although it will be a wrench to leave the city, he is expecting to adapt quickly to the English capital.

“I know it’s not going to be easy because I have lived in Porto for 10 years. It’s city that I adore and where I want to settle in the future, and I’ll be going to a completely different reality. But I expect to adapt quickly to the city and the club, and I feel prepared. I just hope to have as much success at Chelsea as I did at FC Porto.”

Time to move on

Indeed, despite feeling happy at Porto, it was Bosingwa himself who instigated a move to the next stage of his career. “Yes. I’d communicated my wishes to Porto. I wanted something more from my career. FC Porto is a club I love, where I was always well treated, but I’ve got certain goals in my life and I thought it was time to leave after five marvellous years when I won everything.

“My agent Jorge Mendes, said there was chance I could play in England and Chelsea was a huge club. Pressure is like an animal inside me; I love competing and winning so I couldn’t refuse. Chelsea was the ideal club.

“I love English football. I never missed one match on a Saturday on television and now I’m going to take part in these matches. It’s the biggest motivation I could hope for.

“I’m also going to meet some friends like Benni McCarthy, who phoned me to congratulate me. He said the English Championship was ideal for my playing style, which motivated me a lot.”


Jose Bosingwa PortuGOAL profile


The Congolese-born defender was able to get right up to speed on the Blues during Euro 2008 thanks to Portugal team-mates Carvalho and Ferreira.

“During the Euros I spoke to Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Knowing them will make my adaptation much easier. They told me Chelsea was a club of enormous dimension and that the only thought is to win. They gave me excellent indications about our team-mates.”

No Scolari favours

All three defenders, as well as midfielder Deco, will now be playing for the man who has been their international coach. However, Bosingwa is expecting no favours.

“Scolari selected me for the national team, but this does not mean he will pick me at Chelsea. I’m going to work hard to make this happen, and of course it’s positive to have a coach who knows me well. But I know the competition to get in the team will be fierce. Beletti and Paulo Ferreira will also fight to play, but they’ll have to count on me.”

Despite stepping into the unknown, Bosingwa is as confident as ever about his ability to make a splash at Chelsea, and is keen to showcase his talent to fans in England.

“I feel Chelsea believed in me. If they didn’t they wouldn’t have paid 20 million euros on the transfer fee. I’m not going to Chelsea to be just another player. I want to make a big impression and I want to win everything.”