Henrique Hilario

[DavidEU 2,023]

Name: Henrique Hilario

Position: Goalkeeper

Number: 40

Joined From: Nacional

Fee: Free Transfer

Signed by: Jose Mourinho

Age: 32

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TC Profile:

Henrique Hilário Meireles Alves Sampaio joined Chelsea in the summer of 2006 after the departure of Lenny Pidgeley to Millwall. Hilario had worked with, then manager, Jose Mourinho previously with FC Porto in 2003, where he was the understudy to Victor Baia.

Hilario was signed primarily as a third choice goalkeeper to provide back up for Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, from Portuguese side Nacional on a free transfer.

However, due to serious head injuries to both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini away to Reading, Hilario was thrown in at the team end, making his Chelsea debut at home to FC Barcelona in the Champions League. The Portuguese 'keeper managed to keep a clean sheet, with Didier Drogba winning the game for the Blues early in the second half.

With Cech out for the foreseeable future, Hilario grabbed his chance with both hands and kept out the returning Carlo Cudicini for a number of games. His clean sheet against Barcelona was followed immediately by another at Sheffield United, where he saved a first-half Danny Webber penalty with the game still at 0-0.

Hilario managed to tick up a total of 18 appearances during the 2006-2007 season, winning both Carling Cup and FA Cup final medals in his debut season. Infact, prior to the FA Cup final, due to Chelsea's injury crisis, Jose Mourinho joked that Hilario could be used as a forward. He was an unused substitute in both games.

Despite being a back-up player, Hilario is a fans favourite at Chelsea, due to his performances during a difficult time at the club, with the injuries to Cech and Cudicini. His save at Sheffield United was followed by the Chelsea fans chanting "We've got Hilario" for the first time.

Hilario, aged 32, is 6ft 2, and wears the number 40 shirt for Chelsea.

[flamiejamie 0]

Let's hope he has the best game of his career against Liverpool this Sunday... we're going to need it.

I'll never forget when he came on as a third goalkeeper (Cech was injured and then Cudicini) against Liverpool in the 07/08 Champions League semi-final and managed to pull off an amazing save! Never forget that! Hilario = legend.

[Tomo 21,733]

The disrespect he has got in some areas since the city game is shocking.

Not the best in the world but apart from the City game when has he ever disapointed? Barca and Liverpool he won the game for us and i would not be worried if he has to fill in again in the run in. 1 week after the City game he delt with Stoke's long throws and targeting very well.

His contract i believe is up at the end of this season and if thats the case i think he will be leaving but he leaves with full respect and dignity.

[Ballancee 5]

It will be interesting what will happen to him

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

Great servant to the club.

[zolayes 14,489]

Great servant to the club.

and a better keeper than he was given credit for

[Bosnian Blue 2,471]

Better than Turnbull that's for sure.

[Corlett 202]

New deal for Hilario

[LDN Blue 7,903]

So much for a new goal keeper. Fuck sake..

[Kostas 1,468]

[ack17 205]

That means we won't sign a new back-up keeper

[TomCFC 356]

Oh for...

[Peace. 4,352]

This..

[Madmax 9,219]

Meh ... He's hardly gonna play anyway.

[Liquidator 5,176]

I think he deserves a lot of respect. It must be difficult being a talented goalkeeper like he is but having to watch arguably the worlds best between the sticks for us week in week out. Still, it shows great commitment to the club to stay with us for the length of time that he has

[Dayjevansdolan 4]

with him in goal just make me think we have mr bean in goal

[Randall 315]

I love hilario. THERE I SAID IT. (I fucking hate Turnbull though).

[Kieran. 6,317]

Meh ... He's hardly gonna play anyway.

:goodpost: