PLAYER PROFILE

Carlo Cudicini

Position: Goal

Height: 6'1

Weight: 12st 2lbs

Date of Birth: 1973-09-06 Milan, Italy

Carlo Cudicini

Cudicini, son of the famous AC Milan, Roma and Italy goalkeeper Fabio Cudicini, is a player of outstanding ability who has looked as assured and comfortable as anyone between the sticks.

Having initially arrived at Stamford Bridge on a loan deal from Castel di Sangro in Italy as cover for Ed De Goey, Cudicini impressed so much that Chelsea had little hesitation in making the deal permanent in the summer of 2000.

Fast, agile and possessing magnificent reflexes, Cudicini obtained a sustained run in the Blues' first team at the start of the 2000/2001 season due to a serious injury to Ed De Goey. His performances during that time were faultless and in 2001/02 it was no surprise to see him claim the first choice spot for himself.

He made 41 appearances for Chelsea, and was instrumental in their run to the FA Cup final, with some inspirational games in the later rounds.

His impressive season 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.

However, he has blossomed into one of the Barclaycard Premiership's best keepers, and continued to improve during 2002/03, even gaining a call-up to the Italy squad. His performances were crucial for Chelsea in their successful battle for a Champions League place and participation in that competition should see his stock rise ever further.

He continued between the sticks for the Blues as they roared through the 2003/04 season powered by Roman Abramovich's money. He made 40 appearances for Chelsea, and still missed a few games after breaking a bone in his right hand.

The arrival of Petr Cech in the summer, however, gave Cudicini strong opposition in the Chelsea goal. Indeed, the season began as it meant to go on for the Italian with Cech replacing him for the opening game against Manchester United. With Cech's dominance, Cudicini was reduced to only eleven appearances, mostly in cup games, recieving a red card in his team's FA Cup exit against Newcastle United.

In 2005/06 he resisted reports that he might leave in search of regular first team football, and was again restricted to a handful of league starts and Chelsea's FA Cup run to the semi-final.

With Petr Cech injured during a match at Reading, it seemed Cudicini would find more opportunities during the first-choice keeper's absence.

However, during the closing stages of that self same game, Cudicini himself was injured and when he returned had to battle for the number one jersey with Henrique Hilario.

Ultimately, Hilario was handed more starts, but Cudicini is probably still second choice keeper.