Hilario signs extension

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario has signed a one-year extension to his current Chelsea contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2012/13 season.

The experience Portuguese stopper, who was part of our Double-winning squad in 2009/10, joined the club in 2006 from Nacional as back-up to Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini. Signed by Jose Mourinho - a man who new Hilario from his Porto days - Hilario repaid the faith shown in him by the Special One as he made a number of fine saves in a 1-0 win over then-European Champions Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in October.

In 39 appearances for the West London side, Hilario has kept an impressive 18 clean sheets - and the Portuguese stopper has been an able deputy for Cech this season; putting in a particularly good display in the side's 2-1 win over West Brom at Stamford Bridge back in August.

However his most famous display for the Londoners came as a substitute in a 2-0 win over Fenerbahce in the 2007/08 edition of the Champions League; coming on as a substitute for the injured Carlo Cudicini, making fabulous saves from Ugor and Colin Kazim-Richards despite not having played competitive football in over three months.

Hilario has also been capped at international level, making his international bow in 2010 against China; a game in which he played in the second half and kept a clean sheet.

The news means that young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is likely to remain on loan at Atletico Madrid for a second season, as Hilario fights with Ross Turnbull for the right to deputise for Chelsea's number one.

You can discuss the news in Henrique's player profile.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Next to be Kalou, Malouda and such!

[Krypt 241]

strange choice

[TomCFC 356]

An absolute joke.

[Corlett 202]

Don't know why people are complaining. He plays once every blue moon, does a half decent job when he does play and is just filling the gap until Courtois is back to compete with Cech.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He is happy to sit on the bench for the vast majority of the season and puts in 100% effort every time he's on the pitch. I'm not complaining...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Don't agree with this.

Jamal Blackman & Sam Walker are more than capable of being back up goal keepers and they can alternate if there's a reserve game clash. They wouldn't even need to be paid the wages Hilario probably gets paid for either and if Hilario was released we'd have a space for another international player.

[Corlett 202]

Don't agree with this.

Jamal Blackman & Sam Walker are more than capable of being back up goal keepers and they can alternate if there's a reserve game clash. They wouldn't even need to be paid the wages Hilario probably gets paid for either and if Hilario was released we'd have a space for another international player.

If Cech gets injured for a couple of months next season, would you seriously trust one of those 2 to step up and play in the Champions League? (If we qualify)

[LDN Blue 7,903]

If Cech gets injured for a couple of months next season, would you seriously trust one of those 2 to step up and play in the Champions League? (If we qualify)

More than I would Hilario? Yes. He's not as bad as people state out, but he doesn't warrant a contract extension when we've got 2 young keepers who've got a ton of experience and just could easily step up. Who knows about Turnbull's future too, he might still be here next season.

[Sheva. 5,373]

He's better than Turnbull, so i see no reason to complain.

[diskoviolente 425]

Rather have him for another year than two inexpierienced goalies or only turnball on the bench or Courtois rotting there playing the odd game.

It is not really the utmost important position we need to change, back up goalies

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Rather have him for another year than two inexpierienced goalies or only turnball on the bench or Courtois rotting there playing the odd game.

It is not really the utmost important position we need to change, back up goalies

They're inexperienced because they're not given their chance on the bench. Only takes an injury to main keeper and them impressing on their chances to kick start - what could be - a successive career. Can only know if you have the cojones to gamble.

[diskoviolente 425]

True that. But who knows who´s next manager and what he´s planning. Gotta nail down the players seems to be the clubs policy anyway.

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Blackman > Hilario

Simple as that.

[Steve 10,227]

I don't think this is for any reason other then match day preperation. He helps out a lot around the club and i cannot see him getting paid a whole lot.

[capriccioso 2,545]

I reckon Hilario's one of the better 2nd choice keepers floating around the Premiership. He's certainly better than our other viable option in Turnbull. Since we won't be getting Thibaut back until the end of next season a 1 year extension seems sensible.

[Superblue 6,331]

The biggest gripe I have with this is that he takes up a one of our 17 'non homegrown' spots in the squad. I know we freed a couple of places in January selling Alex and Anelka and bringing in Cahill who is homegrown, and I would assume a couple of our other non homegrown players will also leave in the summer, but when you are limited to only a set number of non homegrown players in the squad, I don't agree with wasting a spot with a backup keeper, unless they are truly capable of pushing for the number one spot.

[Madmax 9,219]

Takes up a foreign slot while offering nothing in terms of ' competition for places'. Shocking decision.