Carlo Cudicini - Chelsea - Goalkeeper Spotlight

Carlo Cudicini's Stats
D.O.B.	06/09/1973
Nationality	Italian
Height	1.88m
Italian Caps	0(1)

Profile

Carlo Cudicini has secured the number one jersey at Stamford Bridge since joining the club during the 2000/2001 season. Cudicini arrived at Chelsea on a loan deal from Castel di Sangro in Italy as back up for Ed De Goey. Carlo's performances when covering for the seriously injured Ed De Goey resulted in Chelsea making the loan deal permanent in the summer of 2000.

Having recently passed the 150 appearances mark Cudicini has developed into one of the Premiership's best keepers and those performances earned him a call-up into the Italian squad during the 2003 season. Cudicini has goalkeeping running in his family history. He is the son of the famous AC Milan, Roma and Italy goalkeeper Fabio Cudicini, he was regarded as a player of outstanding ability who has looked as assured and comfortable as anyone between the sticks.

His impressive performances unsurprisingly led to interest from the big Italian clubs, but he has signalled his intention to remain at Chelsea . He is unfortunate in terms of his international career, as he has two of the world's best 'keepers, Buffon and Toldo, ahead of him. Cudicini was not selected for the 2002 World Cup squad.

Carlo Cudicini's performances need to be maintained as Chelsea have signed Petr Cech for the start of the 2004/2005 season from French club Rennes . The purchase of Cech has put Cudicini's long-term Chelsea future in doubt, although Chelsea have established a squad that has world class back-up in every position.

Information Source Credits

Photographs - www.mychelseafc.com & www.liverpoolthailand.com

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